MAY 2015
Published by Dr. Alexander Kopp
www.DrKoppMd.com
Heart Trivia Questions
1. How many times does your heart beat
each day, on average?
2. How many miles of blood vessels are
inside you?
3. On average, how much does the heart
weight?
4. The heart pumps blood to almost all of
your bodies cells. About how many cells
are in the human body?
5. What piece of equipment measures
electric current in the heart?
6. How many chambers are in the human
heart?
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May is Celiac Awareness Month
What is celiac disease? Celiac disease is
an autoimmune disorder. It can occur in
genetically predisposed people where the
ingestion of gluten leads to damage in
the small intestine. Experts suggest this
disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide, and at least two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed.
When a person has celiac disease, eating
gluten triggers an immune response in
their small intestine. Eventually, this
does damage to the small intestine’s lining and prohibits the absorption of certain nutrients (malabsorption).
The intestinal damage can cause weight
loss, bloating and sometimes diarrhea.
Eventually, the person’s brain, nervous
system, bones, liver and other organs can
be deprived of vital nourishment. Also,
irritation of the intestines can cause
stomach pain, particularly after eating.
Alexander Kopp, MD
Newton-Wellesley Hospital Campus
White Medical Building
2000 Washington St. Suite 542
Newton, MA 02462
Tel: 617.527.6200, Fax: 617.965.5894
[email protected]
www.DrKoppMd.com
Unfortunately, there is no cure for celiac
disease. However, it is possible to manage symptoms and promote intestinal
healing by following a strict gluten-free
diet. This includes avoiding foods with
wheat, barley and rye (e.g. beer). For
those with celiac disease, even a few
bread crumbs from a toaster can trigger
small intestine damage.
Left untreated celiac disease can lead to the
following long-term health conditions:
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Iron deficiency anemia
Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
Infertility and miscarriage
Lactose intolerance
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Central and peripheral nervous system
disorders
Pancreatic insufficiency
Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
Gall bladder malfunction
Neurological manifestations, including
ataxia, epileptic seizures, dementia,
migraine, neuropathy, myopathy and
multifocal leucoencephalopathy
Sources: Mayo Clinic and Celiac Disease Foundation
Allergies are very common and fortunately most allergens are
harmless. They may arise from various substances in food, beverages and the environment. Allergies are caused by a substance
that our bodies react to as if they are a harmful substance, which
it tries to destroy. Allergy signs and symptoms depend upon the
type of allergen our bodies response to it. There are several treatment options for allergies. It is important to consult your doctor
to determine the best course of treatment.
Sources: Medical News Today
About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States
every year; that’s about 1 in every 4 deaths. Hypertension (high
blood pressure) is a key risk factor for heart disease. Experts
suggest that nearly 70 million adults in the United States have
hypertension and about 33% do not know it.
Hypertension is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart
beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the
blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart
has to pump.
Hypertension can lead to numerous health problems such as
damaged organs, kidney failure, aneurysm, heart failure,
stroke, or heart attack.
What causes hypertension? Although the precise causes are not
often known, the following factors are highly associated with
it: smoking, obesity or being overweight, diabetes, lack of
physical activity, high sodium intake, insufficient vitamin/
mineral absorption, vitamin D deficiency, stress, and genetics.
How to Take Care of Your Heart
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Get regular doctor check-ups
Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Eat healthy foods, reduce salt and limit/avoid saturated fat
Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes
Don’t smoke
Sources: Medical News Today (MNT), Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Trivia Question Answers
1. 100,000 2. 60,000 3. 8-10 Ounces 4. 75 Trillion 5. Electrocardiograph 6. 4