Overview

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others, and vitamins D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" actually refers to a number of vitamer compounds, which form a set of distinct chemical compounds that show the biological activity of a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals are grouped under an alphabetized vitamin "generic descriptor" title, such as "vitamin A," which (for example) includes retinal, retinol, and many carotenoids. Vitamers are often inter-convertible in the body. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids, nor does it encompass the large number of other nutrients that promote health but are otherwise required less often.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Knee Replacement and Deep Vein Thrombosis - What You Need to Know Before Your Operation!

deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a blood clot attached to the walls of the veins in the extremities, most commonly in the calf. The risk factors for DVT include: Surgery - Orthopedic Surgery especially in the lower part of immobility advanced age, obesity, cancer Active infection back DVT pill clotting disorders.

For most people in the knee replacement at the age of sixty, they have multiple risk factors of DVT. The thrombosis caused pain and swelling, but the big danger is that the clot is released and travels through the heart, lungs, where it causes a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism (PE) is when the clot from the legs blocks an important artery in the lungs and prevents the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

A large pulmonary embolism can be immediately fatal, as are arrangements to protect the patient from DVT. Blood clots form when blood pools in the calf. The lack of movement allows blood to "sticky" and attach to the wall of the vein. Preventative measures are aimed at the blood and moves to the "stickiness" of blood itself. Compression stockings help the blood return to the heart and prevent pooling. Intermittent pneumatic compression calf can have a pump at the end of a hospital bed, pushes the legs to move blood.

ankle motion also makes the leg muscles and off the creation of a pump effects within the leg. Unless their medical history, it is not safe, most patients a blood medication after surgery to prevent blood clots. This is usually a so-called low molecular weight heparin, and is often administered by injection. It is not before the operation, as they may cause excessive blood loss.

In the case of a clot in the diagnosis of the calf, higher doses of drugs to decrease blood to clot formation will be. Patients are often required to continue blood thinners tablet over a longer period after the clot formation, or even for life. Your hospital organize preventive measures and treatment, if necessary, but everyone should remember that moving your ankles up and down does not hurt (even immediately after the operation) and is a very simple thing, the risk of complications. Remember - there is no such thing as too many movements ankle!

 

The most important thing you can do is make informed decisions. You do not need a miracle cure you need to know the facts. Information will ensure you make the correct choices that affect your future. Mitch Barry is a Physical Therapist with over 10 years experience helping people deal with osteoarthritis.

For more information on arthritis of the knee and the options available, please visit http://thearthriticknee.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitchell_Barry

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