IF THIS ARTICLE HELPS PUBLICISE AND GET ONE MORE PERSON TO SIGN THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTER THEN ITS WORTHWHILE

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM THE DAILY MAIL

Is there anyone out there who will save my life? YouTube transplant plea by Holly, 19

• Holly has cystic fibrosis and has only 20 per cent lung function

• It would be amazing if more people signed up even if it's too late for me, says brave teen

• Marks growing trend of patients making heartfelt appeals for organs online

By CLAIRE BATES

PUBLISHED: 12:10, 17 September 2012 | UPDATED: 11:42, 19 September 2012

Hoping: Holly Pereira, who desperately needs a lung donor, has made a YouTube plea for more people to sign the national organ donor register

When most young people place a video on YouTube, the aim is to share a cherished moment or favourite song.

Holly Pereira hopes it will save her life.

The 19-year-old cystic fibrosis sufferer fears she will not see her 21st birthday unless she receives a double lung transplant.

She has made a haunting, three-minute video about her plight which she hopes will persuade viewers to sign up to the national organ donor register.

‘There is nothing more I can do,’ said Holly, whose father John is a plastic surgeon, at the family’s country house in Buxted, East Sussex.

‘If I can get just a few people to sign up to the register which in future saves lives, even if it’s too late for me, that would be amazing.’

Holly was diagnosed at 18 months with the genetically inherited disease, which affects the digestive and respiratory systems. 

Despite daily medication, she has only 20 per cent of her lung function left. 

She has spent six months on the national transplant register and is desperately awaiting a call to say that a donor has been found.

The Pereira family’s position is doubly heartrending as Holly’s brother Jake, 18, also has cystic fibrosis and will need a transplant at some point.

In the black-and-white clip on video-sharing website YouTube, she says cystic fibrosis ‘makes the smallest, everyday tasks, like showering, walking or taking the stairs very difficult as I get out of breath very easily’.

'Being put on the list means that my chances of survival without a transplant may mean I only have a few years left to live.

'Due to the lack of organs available I may find it hard to find a suitable donor. I am very small and my blood type that I am means I may have a longer wait.

‘This could be 18 months or over and during this time my illness may get progressively worse, which means I may rely on oxygen to breathe and may not be able to get around properly.

Scroll down for video...

Haunting: Holly describes what life is like with cystic fibrosis and says she almost can't imagine what it must be like to be able to breathe properly 

Illness: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes the build up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system (see xray of a CF patient, left). Both Holly (right) and her brother have CF

Holly says simple tasks such as climbing stairs are difficult for her

'To be able to receive a new pair of lungs would mean that my life would be significantly better, I would be able to do things I can’t do at the moment.'

She ends the video by urging people to sign up to the organ donor register and saying how, once she does not need them, she will give 'any of my healthy organs away'.

She reminds viewers that the most crucial step is to let close family know what organs they would wish to donate as they have the final say after death.

Her grandfather David Nicholson, 67, said he was in tears when he watched the video, which she posted without telling her family.

His wife Carol added: ‘We are very proud of what she has done and we want people to come forward and register so it gives youngsters like her a chance in life.’

■ To sign the confidential NHS organ donor register, click here.

VIDEO: A plea from the heart... Watch Holly's video here... 

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A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF CHOCOLATE WHICH I FEEL IS FLAWED

Another feature on chocolate albeit this is a negative one. We already know that chocolate makes us feel better especially in women and most women if truthful will tell you when they feel down they will reach for chocolate. However I still feel chocolate does have good health benefits, I am referring to dark chocolate here for one ounce of dark chocolate does give us our daily iron requirements as well as being rich in flavonoids which are anti oxidants. I do feel this article is somewhat misleading however and confusing because I feel its confusing the milk and sweet variety of chocolate bars, these are more associated with  the overweight and obesity. 

The experiment detailed below where they fed 'M&Ms' to rats, these are milk chocolate and sugar coated with added colouring agents. Any nutritionist will tell you what refined sugar does, whereby it creates sugar highs and lows and the low sugar levels lead to cravings. If you eat refined sugars milk chocolate bars, cakes and biscuits this leads to a huge surge in blood sugar levels giving an instant hit and surge of energy, however this surge does not last long and drops dramatically leading to craving for more and I feel this is what has happened with this experiment. 

French women are well known for their slim figures and they eat chocolate regularly however its small amounts of good plain chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids, this is satisfying and does not lead to the craving associated by consuming milk chocolate confectionary.

Chocolate can create same high as opium: Links found between obese people and drug addicts

• Study looked at natural brain chemical of enkephalin
• It's an endorphin with similar properties to opium
• US researchers found it surged as rats ate M&Ms
• Drug then stimulated brain area releasing chemical
• After that, number of M&Ms eaten more than doubled

It’s certainly a good excuse to have when you’re slumped on the sofa and feel like you're simply obliged to finish off that shiny tin of Quality Street.

Chocolate has an effect on the brain similar to opium, according to a study that found amazing comparisons between obese people and drug addicts.

In the study, a natural brain chemical called enkephalin - an endorphin with similar properties to opium - surged as rats began to eat M&M chocolates.

Addictive: Chocolate has an effect on the brain similar to opium, according to a study that found comparisons between obese people and drug addicts

When a drug was used to stimulate the dorsal neostriatum - the brain area releasing the chemical - the number of M&Ms eaten more than doubled.

In the brain, enkephalin binds to molecular ‘receptors’ sensitive to opiate chemicals to reduce pain and produce pleasurable feelings.

Previous research mostly linked the dorsal neostriatum to movement, and recent work suggested it also plays a role in reward-driven behaviour.

But study leader Dr Alexandra DiFeliceantonio said the extraordinary findings showed comparisons between and drug addicts and the obese.

Opium links: The researchers looked at the same brain area which is active when obese people see foods and when drug addicts see drug scenes

She said: ‘This (study) means that the brain has more extensive systems to make individuals over-consume rewards than previously thought.

'The same brain area tested here is active when obese people see foods and when drug addicts see drug scenes'

Dr Alexandra DiFeliceantonio

‘The same brain area tested here is active when obese people see foods and when drug addicts see drug scenes.

‘It seems likely that our enkephalin findings in rats mean that this neurotransmitter may drive some forms of overconsumption and addiction in people.’

The findings of the University of Michigan researcher and her team have been published in the US journal Current Biology.

In their paper, the scientists concluded: ‘Opioid circuitry... could in this way participate in normal motivations and perhaps even in generating intense pathological levels of motivation to overconsume reward in binge eating disorders, drug addiction and related compulsive pursuits.’

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BREAD HAS BEEN DEMONISED FOR TOO LONG

Article below from the Daily Mail, and I have to agree bread has been demonised for too long. I am a great believer in a well balanced diet and there is no reason why bread shouldn't be part of that. It contains vital nutrients and minerals even white bread though ideally granary and wholemeal are best. Carbohydrates should form the bulk of the diet

A BALANCED DIET 

Your body is a complex machine, it is constantly going through various chemical changes, taking nourishment to all its working parts and taking away waste and in order to do this efficiently it needs not only sufficient fuel but good quality fuel.

THE FOOD PYRAMID

So let us use the pyramid as a guide. Firstly water we are composed of 70% water so it stands to reason we need to replenish this constantly. Water is used up in the removal of toxins, such as sweat, urine/excretement and respiration, so 8 good size glasses are required daily. Ideally this should be plain water and no harm will come of adding fruit squash providing it's not sugary and some of this could be fruit juice. As for tea and coffee, this should be in moderation as the caffeine contained is a diuretic, this causes the body to excrete more urine, so if you must drink tea and coffee  for every cup you drink, drink a glass of water. Don't wait until you are thirsty either, for when you feel this symptom you are already dehydrated, a little and often is the key. Skin suffers dreadfully when we are dehydrated, because it is not such as an important organ such as our internal organs, it will be last on the list. Our skin is constantly being renewed and on average the upper skin layer, the one you can see, it is roughly a period of 28 days from the time the cells are created until they die and are sloughed off. In the deeper layers of the epidermis the cells are plumper however as they mature they become drier and tougher due to the protein Keratin, this forms protection, however if they don't receive adequate water the skin will look dull and loose it's lustre. (More about this process in 'Skin care')

Next layer up in the food pyramid is cereals and cereal products, these ideally should be wholegrain and not refined. Wholegrain has much more nutrients, it takes longer for the body to break down, thus keeping the blood sugar levels stable for longer and provides the body with fiber. We need fiber for our intestines to help them work properly, preventing constipation and try to see fiber as a brush to sweep out our intestines of any toxic matter that can accumulate there and cause trouble later on. Fiber has little if any calories so plenty can be ingested. This layer forms what is known as carbohydrates and it is these that are the main source of fuel. These starches are broken down in the body to eventually form simple sugars to be used by our body's cells for energy. In a balanced diet the bulk of which is carbohydrates.

Next layer up is the fruit and vegetable layer and to receive adequate vitamins and minerals we need a good balance of both. Fruit and vegetables are also rich in fiber. Leafy dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and savoy cabbage are rich in iron, needed to make red blood cells and also vitamin C, this too is needed to form red blood cells. Vitamin C is a water soluable vitamin, it dissolves in water and a common mistake is to over boil green vegetables, all the vitamin C is thus transferred to the cooking water, so the best way to cook these vegetables is by steaming or microwave. The body cannot store water soluable vitamins like vitamin C so adequate levels need to be ingested daily.

Now a common mistake some people make if something is good for you they will take more, its not so much a problem with water soluable vitamins, however some vitamins are stored in the body in the liver namely vitamin A and high levels can be toxic and dangerous. With vitamin C however by taking copious amounts thinking it will do you good, all you will do is manufacture expensive urine as the body can only use so much and will excrete the rest. Too much vitamin C can cause diarrhoea and because vitamin C is ascorbic acid, will irritate your anal region. Vitamins and minerals are easier absorbed from food than as supplements too. Fruit and vegetables are a rich source of roughage/fiber and I mentioned this earlier. Another important aspect of fruit and vegetable are what's known asBioflavonoids  these are plant pigments that are largely responsible for colors of many fruits and flowers.

Beneficial Effects 

• referred to as "nature's biological response modifiers" - modify body's reaction to compounds such as allergens, viruses, and carcinogens
• powerful antioxidants by giving protection versus oxidative and free radical damage
• prevents formation of oxidized cholesterol through antioxidant effects
• greater antioxidant effects than Vitamins C, E, Selenium, and Zinc 

Next layer are Proteins and split here into two sources, the Dairy source, which is milk and milk products such as cheese and yoghurt and meat, fish and pulses (pulses are high sources of vegetable proteins e.g. lentils, beans) and nuts.

Proteins are the building blocks of the body and necessary for growth and repair of the body's tissues and classified into two groups, complete proteins e.g. found in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products such as yogurt and cheese. Soybeans are the only plant protein considered to be a complete protein. And incomplete proteins such as beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and grain. A small amount of incomplete protein is also found in vegetables. This is why it is important to have a varied and balanced diet  to provide all of the essential amino acids and form a complete protein. Oily fish are a rich source of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which can help reduce the risks of heart disease. Seafood in general contains an abundance of essential minerals which include, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium. Fish is also a good source of vitamins, which maintain healthy nerve tissues, strong bones and teeth and a glowing complexion.

Now we come to the tip of the food pyramid it is these foods that should be consumed sparingly, fats, oils and sweets, which include cakes and biscuits which are generally made from refined sugars and flour. We do have to consume a little fat (if you are on a fat reduced diet because of gall bladder disease etc consult with your medical practioner) as we need some fat for fat soluble vitamins. Fat as well as a source of stored energy is our insulation under the skin and protects some organs such as the kidneys.

Vitamins

Vitamins are only required in very small quantities. There is no chemical similarity between these chemicals; the similarity between them is entirely biological.
Vitamin A: good for your eyes.
Vitamin B: about 12 different chemicals.
Vitamin C: needed for your body to repair itself.
Vitamin D: can be made in your skin, needed for absorption of Calcium.

Mineral Salts

These are also needed in small quantities, but we need more of these than we need of vitamins.
Iron: required to make haemoglobin.
Calcium: required for healthy teeth, bones and muscles.
Sodium: all cells need this, especially nerve cells.
Iodine:

It's important to remember we have all of those components in the right amounts as if we don't have enough protein in our diets, we wont heal properly, not enough carbohydrates and we will be lacking in energy. Too much fat or too much carbohydrates will cause us to become overweight if we don't balance the amount of fuel (food) with our activities. Many vitamins work together and some cannot be absorbed unless the other is present e.g zinc is absorbed better with trace copper and vitamin C is needed to make haemaglobin in the blood as well as iron. The key is balance and the food pyramid will give a rough idea into the daily amounts and proportions to achieve this.

Not a grain of truth: Bread has been 'demonised by TV nutritionists and is a vital part of our daily diet'

• Scientists dismiss 20 years of warnings that bread is responsible for fatigue, stomach pain, bloating and headaches
• People are going without vital vitamins and minerals that are contained in each loaf

From hot buttered toast to the simple sandwich, bread was once the staple of the British diet.

But in recent years it has suffered from a serious image crisis and has become something of a health bogeyman, a food to be avoided and resisted.

Now nutrition scientists believe that most of the health alerts about consuming bread are myths.

Beneficial: Nutrition scientists have dismissed 20 years of warnings that bread is responsible for fatigue, stomach pain, bloating and headaches

Researchers at the British Nutrition Foundation said that people are instead going without vital vitamins and minerals that are contained in each loaf.

And they have dismissed 20 years of warnings that bread is responsible for a range of symptoms, including fatigue, stomach pain, bloating and headaches.

They also dispute that wheat allergies are on the increase.

Lead researcher Dr Aine O'Connor said that despite a massive downturn in bread consumption, Britain's obesity crisis is the biggest in Europe and continues to worsen.

She said that sliced white bread, in particular, had been unfairly 'demonised' by health campaigners and TV nutrition shows.

Dr O'Connor said that wheat allergies have not risen, but many people are are now incorrectly convinced they suffer from wheat intolerance or an allergy to gluten (the protein found in wheat).

'Health professionals need to dispel the myths,' she told The Sun. 'Bread is an important source of nutrition.'

Sales of bread have been dropping since the 1970s. In 1974 the average Briton got through 2.2lb (1,029g) of bread a week, by last year it had fallen to 1½lb (700g).

A survey by the University of Portsmouth in 2010 found that one in five British adults believes they are allergic to a food, with most blaming wheat.

Meanwhile, low-carb diets such as Atkins and Dukan haven’t helped either - the claims that carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to rise, preventing the body from burning fat, have put many off their lunchtime sandwich.

Yet despite this, bread is often the food people crave the most.

Many dieters name their greatest weakness as toast in the morning or irresistible basket of warm rolls on the restaurant table.

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THE SILENT KILLER 'HYPERTENSION'

SPHYGMOMANOMETER USED TO RECORD BLOOD PRESSURE

Known as the "silent killer", high blood pressure rarely has obvious symptoms.

Around 30% of people in England have high blood pressure but many don't know it. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The only way of knowing there is a problem is to have your blood pressure measured. 

All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you haven’t had yours measured, or you don’t know what your blood pressure reading is, ask your GP to check it for you.

What is high blood pressure? (HYPERTENSION)

Blood pressure measures how strongly blood presses against the walls of your arteries (large blood vessels) as it is pumped around your body by your heart. If this pressure is too high it puts a strain on your arteries and your heart, which makes it more likely that you will suffer a heart attack, a stroke or kidney disease.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and it is recorded as two figures:

• systolic pressure: the pressure of the blood when your heart beats to pump blood out
• diastolic pressure: the pressure of the blood when your heart rests in between beats

For example, if your GP says your blood pressure is "140 over 90", or 140/90mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.

You are said to have high blood pressure (medically known as hypertension) if readings on separate occasions consistently show your blood pressure to be 140/90mmHg or higher.

A blood pressure reading below 130/80mmHg is considered to be normal.

Who is most at risk?

Your chances of having high blood pressure increase as you get older. There is often no clear cause of high blood pressure but you are at increased risk if you:

• are overweight
• have a relative with high blood pressure
• are of African or Caribbean descent
• eat a lot of salt
• don't eat enough fruit and vegetables
• don't do enough exercise
• drink a lot of coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
• drink a lot of alcohol
• are aged over 65

If you fall into any of the groups listed above, consider making changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk of high blood pressure. Also consider having your blood pressure checked more often, ideally about once a year.

Prevention and treatment

You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by:

• losing weight if you need to
• exercising regularly
• eating a healthy diet
• cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol
• stopping smoking
• cutting down on salt and caffeine

If your blood pressure is found to be high, it will need to be closely monitored until it is brought under control. Your doctor will usually suggest changes to your lifestyle and, sometimes, medication to achieve this. Find out more about how blood pressure is treated.

INFORMATION FROM NHS CHOICES

Could you have high blood pressure?

At least 25% of adults have high blood pressure. Get tips on how to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

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BLOOD (ANATOMY FOR BEGINNERS)

Blood is divided into two parts cells 45% and plasma 55% although mostly water it carries nutrients, such as minerals, proteins, glucose, hormones and oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body. The three main type of cells are erythrocytes (red blood cells) leucocytes (white blood cells) and platelets (thrombocytes) The red blood cells main function is to carry oxygen to the body's cells, these contain haemoglobin (which contains iron) that helps these cells bind to the oxygen molecules to carry it around the body. White blood cells function is mainly defending the body from infection and platelets are tiny little fragile cells that when damaged as in an injury release substances to cause the blood to clot thus stemming the flow of blood.

There are 4 main groups A, B, AB and O and these can be either Rh positive or Rh negative so blood can be one of 8 types

The ABO system

Blood groups are defined by the ABO system.

• Blood group A has A antigens on its red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in its plasma.
• Blood group B has B antigens and anti-A antibodies in its plasma.
• Blood group O has no antigens but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. This means that group O red cells can safely be given to anyone. It is the most common blood group in the UK.
• Group AB has both A and B antigens but no antibodies, otherwise it would destroy itself.

Receiving blood from the wrong ABO group could be life-threatening because antibodies in a person with group A blood will attack group B antigens and vice-versa.

The Rh system

Red blood cells sometimes have another antigen, a protein known as the RhD antigen. If this is present, your blood group is RhD positive. If it is absent, you are RhD negative. This means that you can be one of eight blood groups:

• A RhD positive (A+)
• A RhD negative (A-)
• B RhD positive (B+)
• B RhD negative (B-)
• O RhD positive (O+)
• O RhD negative (O-)
• AB RhD positive (AB+)
• AB RhD negative (AB-)

Around 85% of the UK population is RhD positive.

96% of us rely on the other 4% to give blood. Please don't leave it to someone else.
DO SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY GIVE BLOOD

Register as a blood donor
Receive an information pack, containing all you need to know about giving blood.

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ANOTHER REASON TO GIVE UP SMOKING

Article below from the Daily Mail and another reason why smoking is detrimental to your health. With Smoking you don't only risk cancer from inhaling all the toxins in cigarette smoke, the chemicals such as Nicotine affect the circulation thus decreasing blood supply to the extremities and paralysing the Cilia (little hairs that line the respiratory tract) in that this renders you unable to effectively cough up those tarry cancerogenic substances inhaled when smoking. Smoking also deprives your body's cells of the oxygen it needs to maintain good health. Lack of sleep also affects health and will be detrimental to your immune system as lack of sleep leads to stress and stress hormones damage our immune system. We are born with our quota of nerve cells in the brain, once they die they are not replaced so why cause their premature death by depriving them of oxygen.  I can't understand why young people in particular want to take up this stupid practise when so much is known about it.

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Smokers get fewer hours sleep and a lower quality of rest than non-smokers, scientists claim

• 17% of smokers get fewer than six hours of sleep each night, compared with just 7% of non smokers
• 28% of smokers reported 'disturbed' sleep, while only 19% of non-smokers felt their sleep was poor quality

Smokers may get fewer hours of sleep and have less restful slumber than non-smokers, according to study.

Researchers found that of nearly 1,100 smokers surveyed, 17 per cent got fewer than six hours of sleep each night and 28 per cent reported 'disturbed' sleep quality.

That compared with rates of 7 per cent and 19 per cent respectively among more than 1,200 non-smokers who were also surveyed.

Researcher: Seventeen per cent of smokers surveyed got fewer than six hours of sleep each night and 28 per cent reported 'disturbed' sleep quality

Lead researcher Stefan Cohrs, from Charite Berlin medical school in Germany, said: 'This study demonstrates for the first time an elevated prevalence of sleep disturbance in smokers compared with non-smokers in a population without lifetime history of psychiatric disorders even after controlling for potentially relevant risk factors.'

The findings cannot prove that smoking directly impairs sleep, since smokers may have other habits that could affect their shut-eye such as staying up late to watch TV or getting little exercise, he said.

But there is also reason to believe the stimulating effects of nicotine may be to blame.

'If you smoke and you do suffer from sleep problems, it is another good reason to quit smoking,' Mr Cohrs said.

Poor sleep quality may not only make your waking hours tougher. Some studies have also linked habitually poor sleep to health problems like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

'More than one-quarter of smokers had a score than landed them in the category of disturbed sleep'

The study included 1,071 smokers and 1,243 non-smokers who were free of mental health disorders, since those conditions may make a person both more likely to smoke and more vulnerable to sleep problems.

The researchers, whose work appeared in the journal Addiction Biology, used a questionnaire that gauges sleep quality. 

Overall, more than one-quarter of smokers had a score than landed them in the category of 'disturbed' sleep, meaning they had a high probability of insomnia.

Many things can affect sleep quality, and Cohrs's team was able to account for factors such as age, weight, and alcohol abuse. Yet smoking was still linked to poorer sleep quality.

It's still possible there are other things about smokers that impair their sleep, but Cohrs said he thinks the most likely culprit is nicotine - and the prospect of better sleep could provide smokers with an additional reason to quit.

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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS "THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM"

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM PART ONE

DIAGRAM OF THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS

It is often said that it is the Pituitary Gland that controls the Endocrine system however this is not strictly true although it plays a big part in it. It is the area of the brain known as the Hypothalamus that maintains homeostasis (balance) within the body and one of its functions is to regulate the pituitary gland. You can see from the diagram above the Endocrine system organs which are known as ductless glands meaning their hormones (chemical messengers) are excreted directly into the blood and not through a duct. 

As the Hypothalamus is trying to maintain balance within the body it is constantly check our blood analysing what's needed to help it function at its best so if it detects a fall in certain hormones it will send a message to the pituitary gland say and that pituitary gland will send a hormone to its target organ for example Thyroid Stimulating Hormone that is then excreted into the blood stream to target the Thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine, the Hypothalamus will be constantly checking levels of Thyroxine in the blood and when the levels are correct, it will send a message to the pituitary gland to stop secreting Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and if the levels drop again the same thing happens all over again. This is known as a 'Feedback System' and that is basically how our hormone levels are maintained.

Obviously the subject matter of the Endocrine system is vast and I am only giving the basics and keeping it simple but one thing that affects us all is stress and the endocrine system really is worked.

CORTISOL OFTEN KNOWN AS THE 'STRESS HORMONE' 

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced within the adrenal cortex in the adrenal glands, these are cone shaped organs sitting on top of the kidneys. It's a very important hormone and responsible for proper glucose metabolism, helping regulate blood pressure, has a part to play in insulin and blood sugar levels and is part of the inflammatory response. It's often known as the stress hormone but as you can see that's only part of its functions, and this is because it's secreted in higher levels as part of the 'Fight or Flight response'. When secreted in short bursts its beneficial to the body as due to it's actions, it helps mobilise energy reserves, heightens memory and lowers response to pain. This is how and why it's beneficial in the 'Fight and Flight response', it acts quickly and helps survival, however today's stresses are not the same as yesteryear and therein lies the problem.

When there is prolonged secretion of this hormone, when stress is on going, it causes blood sugar imbalances, affects bone density, causing it to decrease and also causes a decrease in muscle tissue. It raises blood pressure affects the body's immune system making us more susceptible to infection and leads to poor healing. It also causes shifts in body fat by increasing more fat around the abdominal areas and leads to higher levels of cholesterol.

The Hypothalamus & the Relationship to the Endocrine System in ‘Stress’

Below the flow chart illustrates how our minds' emotions and feelings trigger a reaction in the Hypothalamus to instigate what happens in the 'Fight or Flight' response. The Hypothalamus then in turn influences both the Autonomic Nervous System and the Endocrine system. This is fine short term it helps us cope in dangerous scenarios and was designed as a protective response, however the stresses of today are not those of yesteryear. No harm comes to our bodies in the short term, this is not the case in long term stress. All is not lost for there are ways we can influence the Hypothalamus to prevent the long term damaging effects of stress on our health. I shall be exploring this under Holistic Therapies. 

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SIMPLE ANATOMY THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Since I am keeping this simple I won't go into much detail of how it is an area of our brain that controls respiration but it is suffice to know that when the diaphragm contracts (it is a large muscle that separates our chest from our abdomen) it increases the volume in our chest cavity. At the same time the little intercostal muscles between our ribs contract and lift up the rib cage. Because the air pressures are different and due to various natural scientific laws this draws in more air into our lungs and due to certain receptor nerve cells they send a signal back to our brain instigating the opposite, diaphragm relaxes and we breathe out carbon dioxide. It is the Alveoli (see diagram above) where the interchange of gases takes place into and out of the blood stream for surrounding these tiny little balloon structures are tiny blood vessels known as capillaries, these are merely one cell thick to facilitate the body's waste carbon dioxide to pass into the alveoli and the oxygen in the air in the alveoli to pass into the blood stream.

This happens continuously throughout our lives automatically the average healthy adult 12 to 18 respirations per minute. It's important to remember that each system of the body is dependent on the others to function as they all interact with one another eg. The brain stem controls respiration and respiration is vital to bring oxygen to the body's cells and remove waste and its specialised nerve receptor cells within the aorta that lets the brain know when to evoke inhalation.

You can also see in the diagram the left lung is slightly smaller than the right this is to allow for the heart. As we breathe in through our nose the air is moistened and the whole of the respiratory tract is covered in little hairs 'Cilia' these trap debris and help waft up mucus from the lungs. The Uvula is a fleshy piece of tissue that stops food going into our Trachea (wind pipe) and the trachea leads to the Bronchus which divides into two Bronchi eventually getting smaller and smaller to becoming Bronchioles to which are attached the Alveoli.

Incidentally smoking paralyses these little Cilia rendering them unable to function and they are not able to move the mucous up out of the lungs, this is what leads to the classic smokers' cough.

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