Showing posts with label Health Tips. Show all posts

Bodybuilding – Bulking Stage

0

Bodybuilding – Bulking Stage:


Bodybuilding – Bulking Stage

Bodybuilding is a far more complex sport/art/hobby than most people realize. Looking in from the outside you could be forgiven for thinking it's simply a matter of lifting a few extremely heavy weights then eating copious amounts of meat. Little do the outsiders know the amount of science that goes into bodybuilding and how it pays to know what adenosine triphosphate is, or how hypertrophy occurs; and nor could they probably appreciate just how many stages and elements there are in most bodybuilding training programmes.
You see the best training programmes don't stay the same all year round. Rather they evolve and change with the bodybuilder using them. If you want to get a lot out of bodybuilding then you need to come up with a training programme that has phases and stages and that lets you recover and focus on various body parts.
One of the most popular ways that this is often achieved with with a 'bulking and cutting cycle'. Here we will look at what bulking and cutting means, whether you should do it, and how to go about adding bulk.
What Are Bulking and Cutting?
Basically as a bodybuilder you have two principles aims and they are to build muscle, while at the same time reducing body fat and revealing your ripped striations for the world to see. If you have lots of muscle but too much fat, then you'll just look large rather than heroic, while if you have no muscle and no body fat then you'll look skinny and unwell.
However of course it can be quite hard to gain muscle while not putting on fat. This is because you need to eat a lot of protein in order to build mass, and at the same time you need to eat a lot of carbs in order to give yourself the energy you need to train hard enough. This leads to lots of bulk fast, but the bad news is that it also leads to a lot of unwanted weight gain and you're likely to find that you end up putting on the kind of bulk that you don't want.
This is where cutting comes in – once you've reached the size you want to you then focus on just stripping away the fat and the body fat percentage to reveal the cuts and the definition in that muscle. You lose fat faster than you lose muscle, so by not eating a lot and doing lots of cardio you can strip away the excess fat to reveal the muscle you've gained before you start losing any muscle mass. A professional bodybuilder will then time this so that he has completely lost his body fat just in time for competition meaning he looks ripped and bulky. There are other ways to gain lean muscle and keep definition, but bulking and cutting is arguably the easiest and ergo the most popular.
Bulking
Here we are going to look at just bulking and how to achieve that stage. There are several things you can do to start indiscriminately putting on weight. These are:
Eating a Lot
That means mostly protein, but really eating whatever you can get your hands on to make sure your body has lots of energy and lots of amino acids. Eat tonnes of meat and don't worry too much if it also contains carbs.
Using Weight Gainers
Weight gainers are shakes that act like protein shakes but also include carbs. This is an easy way to give yourself lots of calories for building muscle and hitting the gym and to add to what you would get just from your diet. Use a weight gainer at least two or three times a day and you can guarantee to start to see gains being made. 
Lifting Heavy
Bodybuilding – Bulking Stage

The idea here is gaining strength and size – not gaining definition and cuts – and this impacts on the way you need to be training. To build size essentially you want to be lifting as heavy a weight as you can, and doing it for just a few repetitions – rather than doing lots of repetitions of a light weight. Make sure you always go past the point of failure by At the same time you're aiming to keep mixing it up by trying different things, and to really hit each muscle group with lots of exercises to stimulate growth. This means using a 'split routine' that focuses on a different body part each day.
You should also try to include compound movements into your workout. These are the movements that don't isolate a single muscle group, but rather force you to work all of them in unison. The 'big three' compound movements are 'bench press', 'deadlift' and 'squat' – so try and include these in your routine.
Resting
Bulking means working hard and resting hard, and actually it's the more pleasant stage compared to cutting as it allows you to eat a lot and then lie around. You want to be using brief bursts of intense training, and then resting and getting lots of sleep. This is because your resting periods are when the body will start to repair the damage you've done to your muscle fibers ensuring they grow back thicker and thus increase the size of your muscles.
This is why a split shift works the way it does – you spend individual days really working on a particular muscle, but then focus on a different muscle subsequently thereby giving the first muscle group a chance to 'grow back' and recover. Make sure that you also get a lot of sleep and don't do too much CV the rest of the time.
Hormones
Increasing your production of anabolic hormones is highly useful for whether you are bulking or cutting helping you to build tissue and burn reserves. There are various ways you can increase your growth hormone – for instance using squats and other compound movements – or taking hot showers. Likewise you should eat red meats, and also try using pro-hormones that increase your testosterone levels such as tribulis terrestris.

Bodybuilding Terminology

0

Bodybuilding Terminology:


Bodybuilding Terminology

Getting into incredible shape and building huge amounts of muscle is like getting free entrance into a mystery club. The admiration you pick up from different meat heads, the brotherhood in the rec center, and the sites and items that no one but you can truly appreciate... its all undoubtedly some piece of the fun. However then this has a downside to it also – that being that it makes iron pumping practically impervious for anybody on the outside. It's cliquey, its threatening and its exceptionally compelling – so how are new individuals expected to begin? Especially when they can barely even see half the articles composed on the subject?

To make matters a bit easier, I'm going to take you by the hand and lead you through some of the odd terminology and jargon used on bodybuilding sites and in bodybuilding books so that you can at least understand a little bit of what's going on and what you're supposed to do. This will be your resource for all the unusual terms and phrases you come across in the land of bodybuilding and muscle building, and you can use it as you might use a French to English dictionary when visiting Paris.
Amino Acids: Amino acids are the carbon compounds that make up protein. In other words they are the reason you eat protein in the first place, and they are crucial for building muscle as well as various other functions around the body.
Amino Acid Profile: The amino acid profile of a food group refers to the precise combination of amino acids it has and how useful these are to the body.
Anabolic: An anabolic state is a state in which the body is building muscle and burning fat while also repairing other tissues. We go into an anabolic state after training. Anabolic hormones are hormones that trigger that state in the body.
Anaerobic: Anaerobic exercise is exercise where you've reached the point at which you can no longer deliver the oxygen you need to where it's needed fast enough.
ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate – this is what our body needs glucose for and is the most fundamental type of energy necessary for all life on earth.
BCAAs: BCAAs are 'Branch Chained Amino Acids' and these in turn are little combined amino acids that are in the correct format for your body to get the most use out of.
Bilateral: Bilateral exercises refer to any exercises where you use both arms at once – so curling in each arm at the same time rather than doing one dumbbell at a time.
Bioavailability: Bioavailability refers to how useful a protein or another food item is for your body. If it is highly bioavailable then that means your body can easily extract the nutrients and amino acids it needs. If it's not then that means a lot of it is going to just pass through your system and be of no use.
Burn: Burn is the feeling you get during a workout like your muscles are on fire. It's a good sign that your workout is going well.
Catabolic: A catabolic state is the opposite of an anabolic state where your body is burning tissue and energy to allow you to continue your performance. This is useful for losing weight.
Cheats: Bodybuilding is the only sport where cheating is good. Basically this means swinging your body in order to pump out a few more reps, and this is useful if you want to carry on training when the going gets tough.
Calisthenics: Really this is just a posh term for bodyweight exercises.
Casein: An alternative form of protein shake, casein is 'slow release' compared to whey protein making it useful for taking just before sleep.
Compound: Compound exercises are those that use lots of muscle groups at once in unison, thereby mimicking the way that we use our muscles in real life and resulting in the production of more growth hormone.
Converging: Converging movements are ones that have you use one side then the other and alternate.
CV: CV is cardiovascular exercise – in other words aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping and burns fat.
Bodybuilding Terminology
Cycling: Not only riding a bike – this also means going on and off a certain supplement in order to manage the levels of it available in your body.
Decline: Decline exercises are the opposite of incline exercises – in other words you are leaning backwards normally using your legs wrapped around some pads to hold you in position and preventing you sliding onto the floor head first.
Drop Sets: Drop sets are sets of exercise where you are going to gradually lower the amount of weight you are lifting. This is useful because it enables you to lift for more repetitions than you otherwise could.
Dynamic Tension: Dynamic tension was invented by Charles Atlas and involves simply moving your arm through a range of motions as though you were lifting a weight while tensing that muscle. Allegedly it can lead to muscle gains similar to those achieved by doing the exercise with weights.
Failure: The point at which you can perform no more reps.
Free Weights: Free weights are weights that aren’t resistance machines, in other words dumbbells and barbells that you can pick up and put down. These work more of the supporting muscle groups as thy force you to stabilize your body.
Forced Reps: Forced reps are repetitions where you are going past failure. Cheats are a form of forced reps, as are drop sets.
Giant Sets: Giant sets are huge sets of exercises that aren't just 'sets and reps' but rather an on-going monster of different exercises with no real rest in between.
Hypertrophy: Hypertrophy is the technical term for muscle growth.
Incline: Incline movements are any movements where you are sitting more upright rather than lying completely flat or back.
Isolation: Isolation exercises are exercises where you isolate a single muscle group and target it on its own. You can achieve this by holding your upper arm still while doing curls for instance. This kind of exercise doesn't build real world strength, but is brilliant for targeting specific muscles.
Isometric: Isometric exercises are those where you are holding a position rather than moving anywhere – for instance just holding a handstand or plank.
Loading: You load a supplement like creatine by having lots of it when you first start taking it so that the body has a ready supply and the levels are higher in your body. You will then settle into a normal routine of using it.
Microtears: Microtears are the tiny tears in muscle fibers that we cause when we work out. It's repairing these that causes hypertrophy.
Negatives: Negatives are the part of the exercise where you lower the weight. If you can't lift a weight you can get a good work out just from lifting it with both hands or with the help of a friend and then lowering it as slowly as you can.
Plyometric: Plyometric exercises are exercises that involve explosive movements like clapping press ups. These work the 'fast twitch muscle fibers'.
Pump: Pump is the word for the feeling after and during a workout where your muscle is blown up like a balloon from all the blood directed there.
Range of Movement: The range of movement is the whole arc of the motion that you go through when you perform a particular exercise. The greater the range of motion, the more of the muscle you will train.
Resistance: Resistance is whatever you are pushing against – it may be a weight, it may be gravity + your own bodyweight, or it may be a resistance band.
Resistance Machines: Resistance machines are the big machines that guide you through movements and target one muscle group specifically. They are useful for beginners and aren't as effective as compound moves.
Splits: Split routines are training programs where you break them down into muscle groups and days so that you might train your biceps on the Monday, your triceps on the Tuesday, your lats on the Wednesday etc.
Spotting: Spotting means helping a gym buddy through repetitions and also being on standby in case they should get pinned.
Stack: Your supplement 'stack' is the list of different tablets, pills and shakes you are currently using.
Static Contraction: Static contraction means just pushing or pulling against an immovable object – for instance squeezing a ball between your thighs consistently without actually moving, or pushing against a wall like you were trying to push it over.
Super Sets: Super sets are sets where you do two different exercises, then rather than rest between sets you just alternative. Often you will train complimentary muscle groups this way by doing say tricep dips in a super set with bicep curls.
Unilateral: Unilateral exercises are the opposite of bilateral exercises and involve using just one arm at a time then swapping.
Vasoconstriction: Vasoconstriction is when your blood vessels get narrower. This is not what you want because it increases blood pressure and prevents your body from delivering the nutrients you need to the muscles.
Vasodilation: Vasodilation is the dilation of the blood vessels and is good news. Supplements like NO2 (nitric oxide) are designed to help vasodilation.
VO2 Max: Your VO2 max refers to how much oxygen you are able to get out of the air and corresponds to cardiovascular fitness.
Whey: Whey is everyone's favourite protein source, a bi-product of the cheese making process and the ingredient used in most protein shakes.

Hair Loss Shampoo Facts

1

Hair Loss Shampoo Facts:


Hair Loss Shampoo Facts

Now a Days Hair care products all over the world has a great importance as research and investments. Because every man like to look good by personality and look attractive physically and this demand involve Healthy Hair. There are many produks all over in the world are used for hair care and have a good result for  thick and healthy hair. Like these products now in market there are many shampoo products that give same promise that it will keep your Hair health and Strong as long as possible and keep away form Hair Loss. But the reality of it all, one has to learn more about these hair products and treatments as well as the hair loss shampoos, if the ingredients used in these are beneficial to our hair or otherwise.The hair loss shampoo goes with the fact that it is good for all types of hair. It prevents hair loss and at the same time enhances hair growth. These shampoos are very rich in amino acids which make the scalp and hair healthy.
There should not be too many chemicals in hair loss shampoos because these can be sources of toxins harmful to the scalp and hair. It should contain more healthful ingredients composed of proteins and pro-vitamins to make the hair healthy.



The hair decrease shampoo comprises combined wealthy nutrients of provitamin B5 and amino acids wealthy in soy proteins which result to good wholesome hair. These supply cleansing, strengthening, conditioning and defence of hair follicles. Another significant component that should be comprised in hair decrease shampoo is Thymus Peptides which cleans and unclogs hair follicles to promote and stimulate hair growth.
Hair Loss Shampoo Facts
There are Hair Loss shampoos made from herbs and other botanical causes that are good to try as these are considered healthier than chemical-based goods used in other hair decrease shampoos. Herbal hair loss shampoos comprise the herb renowned as Saw Palmetto which is good for hair restoration. The use of absolutely vital oils in the herbal shampoos assists to stimulate hair development. Other good herbal constituents are Tea Tree Oil, Nettle and embayment which are good causes of nutrients for the hair. The effects of herbal hair loss shampoos can be glimpsed in about a week after use. The continuous use of herbal hair loss shampoos often outcome to new hair development in about 4 weeks. The good consequences of hair decrease shampoo with Thymus Peptides can be glimpsed inside 2 weeks after use and new hair development can be experienced inside 3 months.

There might be some experimentation on your part as you go for distinctive shampoos that might best suit your hair sort. Maybe, it might additionally respect request some expert guidance from your dermatologist or specialist who can suggest the best male pattern baldness cleanser for your hair.

Another fact about Hair Loss shampoo is that it should be blended with a wholesome life method to further double-check the development and upkeep of good and healthy hair for as long as possible. 
Read More:

Ways to Reverse Hair Loss

0

Ways to Reverse Hair Loss

Ways to Reverse Hair Loss
 
Male pattern hairlessness is extremely common, with associate degree calculable forty million men within the u. s. being full of it in some extent. 1 / 4 of men begin hairless by the age of twenty, and 2 out of 3 men being hairless by age sixty. each oldsters contribute to their offspring’s chance of baldness. Studies place the chances of obtaining a genetic predisposition to baldness at four out of seven.

With such an outsized range of men being full of male pattern baldness, several variant men search out hair loss reversal treatments. Hair loss reversal is definitely one amongst the foremost oppose medical topics. There are presently many government agency approved hair loss treatments accessible that are shown to reverse or scale back hair loss. There are a so much bigger range of non-approved treatments and product for hair loss reversal.How Hair Loss Happens
Before discussing treatments and ways to reverse hair loss, a brief background on how hair loss occurs is helpful. Scientific studies have not pinpointed the exact cause of hair loss, but it is thought to be due to the effect Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent sex hormone. DHT is thought to initiate a process called follicular miniaturization in which the width of hair shafts is reduced to become like peach fuzz or non-existent.
Hair loss happens in common patterns that are shown on the "Norwood Scale." This scale identifies the severity of hair loss and how male pattern hair loss typically progresses. The process of hair loss can take years, however the earlier that hair loss treatments are administered, the more hair that will be saved in the long run.
Hair Loss Treatments
There are several types of hair loss treatments, and some have shown to be more effective than others. Some of the more effective hair loss treatments include: DHT inhibitors, growth stimulants, anti-androgens, and anti-inflammatories. Other treatments are available to reverse hair loss but are not as proven with both anecdotal and scientific evidence as the aforementioned treatments.
Even so, out of these treatments, only two: DHT inhibitors (Propecia) and growth stimulants (Minoxidil) have been FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss. The other two: Anti-androgens and anti-inflammatories work on the same scientific basis as DHT inhibitors and growth stimulants, but are not approved by the FDA. A physician would only likely recommend the use of Propecia or Minoxidil, or both in combination.
DHT Inhibitors
DHT inhibitors work by reducing the body’s levels of DHT, the hormone thought to be responsible for male pattern hair loss. These have been shown to be very effective at preventing future hair loss in many cases, and are one of the only effective and proven hair loss treatments. Products like Propecia and Revivogen are DHT inhibitors. DHT inhibitors treat hair loss by treating the actual cause of the hair loss, which is important for those who are looking at hair loss reversal.
DHT inhibitors typically have a number of side effects that vary. Typically, DHT inhibitors cause sexual side effects, of which the most commonly reported are impotence and abnormal ejaculation. These side effects can substantial for some of those who take Propecia and other DHT inhibitors, and in other individuals these side effects are less pronounced. As a result, some may look to other treatment options for hair restoration and hair loss prevention.
Growth Stimulants
Minoxidil, which is found in Rogaine and other products, is a growth stimulant. It is not clear how these products scientifically work to stimulate hair growth, but in studies it has shown to restore hair. Minoxidil in particular is a vasodilator that widens the blood vessels and opens potassium channels allowing more blood and nutrients to go to the follicle. Growth stimulants are capable of reversing hair loss to a degree, but for the best effect these are typically combined with a DHT inhibitor so that further hair loss is prevented while past hair loss is restored.
Anti-Androgens
Anti-androgens work on the same principal of DHT inhibitors. These include topical creams that protect follicles from the effects of DHT inhibitors. By working topically, the side effects of lowering the whole body’s DHT levels are eliminated. However, anti-androgens may be used in combination with DHT inhibitors. They are an alternative for those who do not want to use DHT inhibitors due to the side effects associated with them.
Anti-Inflammatories
Nizoral is an anti-inflammatory that is thought to reduce some of the inflammation and immune responses to treatments like growth stimulants and antiandrogens. These treatments are not designed to restore hair but rather complement other treatments and allow them to be more effective. It is debatable whether or not anti-inflammatories are necessary or useful for hair restoration. The evidence for the effectiveness Nizoral and other treatments like it is anecdotal.
Surgery
Hair transplantation surgery involves implanting follicles from a donor site to a recipient site. Grafts of 1-4 hairs with modern surgical techniques can be implanted on the recipient site using a minimally invasive surgical technique called Follicular Unit Extraction. Another technique called Strip Harvesting is available by which a strip of scalp is removed and then cut into grafts which are then transplanted. This method is more invasive and leaves a scar which is minimally visible when covered by hair. Surgery is one of the most guaranteed and effective treatments for hair loss, but it is substantially more expensive than the other mentioned treatment options.
Other Methods
There are a plethora of stories of successful hair loss restoring using other supplements, techniques, and products. Some have suggested that altering diet and reducing stress levels can have an effect on stopping or slowing hair loss, however this is not scientifically proven.
A type of product called a laser comb has recently received attention for supposed abilities to restore hair loss. This product works by producing laser beams which supposedly increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulates the regrowth of hair while preventing hair loss.
In most cases, those who are looking to reverse their hair loss would benefit from the two FDA approved treatments in combination: Propecia and Minoxidil, and potentially an anti-inflammatory or anti-androgen treatment if warranted, while other treatments should be explored cautiously.

Treatment of Eye Strain

0

Treatment of Eye Strain:


Spending too much time staring on a stationary object, such as book, TV, computer screen, portable gaming gadget and mobile phone can cause eye strain.
Common symptoms of eye strain are tiredness, increased sensitivity to glare, dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision as well as back and neck pain. Many youngsters have eye strain and they often ignore early symptoms, causing near-sightedness more likely to happen. Human eyes are designed to see stereoscopically in 3D, which means staring to a flat 2D object for a long period of time can cause damages to the eyes.
Habits Changes to Treat Eye Strain
Most mild eye strain can be treated simply by closing both eyes for awhile or taking a short nap. However, if your eyes are sore for the whole day, then habits modification may provide some relief or complete recovery:
Adjust room illumination and screen contrast
The room shouldn’t be too dark that you can’t comfortably read the book or the monitor makes you squint. The room shouldn’t also be too bright that the light washes the monitor out. Adjust the screen contrast, so you can use the monitor comfortably at moderate room lighting.
Adjust the distance
The distance between your eyes and the book or the computer monitor should be at an arm’s length. You should make an experiment to determine the right distance.
Adjust the monitor angle
Looking down at the computer for a long time may make your neck sore. Make sure the monitor is located straight ahead.
Take a break occasionally
After reading a book or using a computer, you should look at something far away, such as clouds or a distant mount. In there are no windows in your room, you should at least look at the farthest object in the room, such as the corner of the room or wall clock. If you’re not allowed to stand up at work due to the nature of your job, at least twist your neck and look at the farthest point at your field of vision.
Use tears
They can keep sore eyes lubricated. Blink more often if you have eye strain, especially at work or while reading something. High pressure at work may cause you to open your eyes too long, causing reddening and dry eyeballs, which can aggravate your eye strain further.
Changes on habit are the easiest and safest way to treat mild eye strain, however, in many cases, they are not enough. Especially if have been ignoring your eyes condition for a long time.
Eye Exercise
Eye exercise can help to calm and soothe tired eyes. It helps bring more oxygen to eye muscles, which can relax them. If you have sore eyes, you can practice these easy exercises for 2 to 5 times a day, especially at moments when close concentrated work is required. During the exercise, you should just move your eyes, breathe steadily, relax your shoulders and keep your head still.
1. Open your eyes widely and look from side to side, up and down, then diagonally. Do both for 10 times each.
2. Look at an imaginary clock and start your focus at 12 o’clock. Move your focus slowly from minute to minute around the clock until you return to 12 o’clock. Close your eyes for awhile and do it again, anti-clockwise this time.
3. Place both palms in the front of your eyes at about 30 cm, with fingers pointing up. It is preferable to do this at edge of the windows. Focus on your palm, breathe in and move your hands apart slowly. Shift your focus to a distant object outside the window Breathe out, bring your hand back together and return your focus to both palms again. Do this for 5 to 10 times.
4. Position your thumb about 30 cm in front of your eyes. Gaze at the thumb for 5 seconds and the look at a distant object beyond your thumb. Repeat this exercise for 5 times.
5. Press the outer edges of your with your finger and close your eyes. Gently message the area around your eyes using repeated circular motions. Repeat this exercise for about 5 times.
6. Rub your hands vigorously until they feel warm. Close both eyes and cup them with your hands for about one minute. Imagine that the warmth flows into your eyes, which make your muscles more relaxed.
These simple exercises can treat mild and moderate eye strain caused by prolonged concentration.
The Long Swing Technique

Treatment of Eye Strain

It is another useful exercise to treat eye strain. It should be performed outdoor and if it isn’t practical, you should do it near the largest window in your home. It can be practiced for 5 minutes and should be performed after you wake up and before you go to bed. The long swing exercise is started by an erect standing posture. Your feet should be about 12 feet apart and don’t square your shoulders. Both arms should hang loosely at your sides and your body must be at ease. Your head must turn with the body and don’t let it move independently. Sway your body easily and slowly from side to side. It should be flexible enough that you can shift all the weight to one foot, but don’t lift the other foot from the flow. When you do this properly, you body will move rhythmically without too much jerking. At this moment, your body should already be fully relaxed.
You should have about 30 swings each minute, which is comparable to the tempo of slow waltz. Many beginners do this exercise too fast, which may make your body less relaxed. To keep your head steady, imagine that the ceiling is so low that it always brushes the top of your head. Although your eyes are open, you shouldn’t stare, in fact don’t try to see anything. To further relieve eye strain, you should blink often during the exercise.
Herbal Remedies
Sometimes a combination of habitual changes and eye exercises can’t treat moderate eye strain effectively. If so, these herbs can be helpful:

 Billberry: These berries are commonly used to treat eye strain and enhance vision. It improves blood flow around and in the eye. If you have eye strain, you should take bilberry capsule 3 times per day. Huckleberry, blueberry and cranberry are also effective for eye treatment.
Goldenseal: It is often used as eye compress. The berberine in goldenseal can treat bloodshot eyes by constricting the blood vessels.
Siberian ginseng: This herb can improve mental function and may be useful for combating viral infections. Siberian ginseng is safe for long-term use when taken daily. You should take the capsule form and follow the specified directions.
Astragalus: It is often used as an energy tonic and can help to improve immune system.
Licorice: It has an anti-inflammatory property, which can relieve discomfort caused by eye strain. You shouldn’t take it more than six weeks and should be taken as a tea.

The 10 Most Common Genetic Diseases

0

The 10 Most Common Genetic Diseases:

 Genetic Diseases

A genetic disease is a terrible thing – an illness that is written into your very biological code that it can be very difficult to avoid or sometimes even impossible. For parents this can mean giving birth to someone who will never be ‘well’ in the traditional sense, and no amount of exercise or healthy living can help that.
The fortunate news is that genetic (diseases)disorders are relatively uncommon, but that said they are still a real danger and some are certainly more common than others. Here we will look at some of the most common genetic diseases, in no particular order.
The 10 Most Common Genetic Diseases

Cystic Fibrosis: The most common genetic disease is cystic fibrosis, which is a condition affecting around 30,000 Americans. This condition causes an abnormality in the fluids of the lungs which causes a chronic infection and also affects the pancreas, liver and intestine. Other symptoms caused by this include poor growth and weight gain, infertility in males and a salty tasting skin.

Haemophilia: In haemophilia the blood doesn’t clot properly when the patient is injured which leads to continual blood loss. Of course this can be highly dangerous and means that what would be a minor accident for anyone else can become a life threatening injury. It also causes complications during surgery and it’s important that those with haemophilia identify themselves as suffering with it.

Sickle Cell Anaemia: Sickle cell anaemia is genetic condition affecting many people in America and Africa in particular, where the red blood cell becomes ‘sticky’ and ‘C-shaped’ and loses oxygen. These cells then block the blood vessels causing pain, tiredness and damage to the organs.

Down Syndrome: Down syndrome or DS is a chromosomal syndrome which occurs as a result of an extra chromosome and is the most common disorder of that type. Symptoms include distinctive spacing of the facial features, impaired cognitive ability, stunted physical growth and an increased risk of congenital heart disease.

Huntington’s Disease: Huntington’s disease actually isn’t highly common, affecting around 5-10 individuals in every 100,000, but the severity of the symptoms and the relative prevalence in the West means it’s one of the better known conditions. This is an autosomal dominant mutation that can affect either of the two copies of any gene giving a child a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. Symptoms normally begin between the age of 35 and 40, and cause gradual cognitive decline (it is related to Alzheimer’s) followed by impairment in physical ability until the individual begins to find any kind of movement incredibly difficult.

Thalassemia: This is a condition affecting the blood in which the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells or alternatively does not produce them efficiently enough resulting in a heightened chance of anaemia.
Tay-Sachs: Tay-Sachs is a serious and ultimately fatal condition in which an enzyme called ‘hexosaminidase’ is missing resulting in the progressive deterioration of both cognitive and physical function as a result of the degradation of the central nervous system.

Angelman Syndrome: Angelman syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder which causes intellectual disability as well as sleep disturbances, jerky movements, frequent laughter and smiling and an ‘unusually’ upbeat disposition. Sufferers may also have a more ‘youthful’ appearance (and a delayed growth in head circumference) and hypopigmentation. It is caused by the lack of the maternal element of chromosome 15.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: DMD is a recessive X-linked condition causing muscular dystrophy and ultimately death and affects around 1 in 3,600 boys beginning before the age of five. As the condition progresses it can cause abnormal bone developments and usually the aid of a wheelchair will be necessary by the age of 12.
There are many other types of genetic disorders from fatal familial insomnia to colour blindness – though many of these are either very rare (the former) or not typically considered ‘diseases’ (the latter). Meanwhile many of the other conditions and illnesses that we experience have a genetic element, and it is possible to be genetically more ‘prone’ to conditions such as diabetes and even obesity.