Healthy Life

Diabetes and Pets

2009-04-30T12:41:00.001+07:00

It is a well known fact that having a pet can be good for your health, especially if you are diabetic. Pets are visitors in children's wards in hospitals, in adult wards, and in nursing and extend a care facilities. No matter what the age, pets are welcomed when they are brought to visit. It is a well known fact that having a pet can be good for your health. Some of the complications diabetics face unfortunately are with heart, kidney, high blood pressure, just to name a few. Having a pet whether it is a cat or dog can be beneficial to you in these areas.

Who better to take you on a daily walk than your dog. No matter what the size, a dog needs exercise, and exercise is high on your priority list isn't it? A better companion you could not ask for. They listen with such intent to all you have to say, and encourage you on. My pet is a small dog, has lots of energy and knows when it is "walk time". He is as set in his routine as I am. Rain, shine, sleet, or snow, Rapper is always ready "to go".

It is a proven fact that animals have a calming effect on people. I know my "Rapper" senses if I am off color, or having a down day, and does his best to get me going in a different direction. Taking time out, and just sitting and patting him does wonders. I have three cats as well, and they are "love to sit on your lap" kind, and they love to purr. Cuddles is a talker, and purrs the loudest. At night I go to sleep to her "music".

Doctors say that listening to a cat purr can be good for the heart and blood pressure. Sometimes we need motivation to keep our routine active, so we can enjoy that feeling of well being. My pets help do this for me. Stress times are fewer, I am calmer and don't over react to situations, which help keep my blood pressure in check. All in all I feel in many ways my pets are a big plus when it comes to managing my diabetes.

Having a well trained, obedient pet makes for a happy situation all around. So far I have been fortunate, my pets have been easy to train. and they have no bad habits, except cuddles can talk just a little too much and sometimes she gets to be a little annoying, and I have to tell her "quiet". Having a young puppy is much easier to train, and you have a better chance of correcting any bad habits. The right pet soon becomes a member of the family, bringing added joy and happiness. I highly recommend having pets.

By Norma Burns

Norma Burns is a diabetic and internet author for Diabetic Health For Seniors.

Treatment of Shock

2009-02-18T23:31:00.003+07:00

In the early stages, shock requires immediate intervention to preserve life. Therefore, the early recognition and treatment depends on the transfer to a hospital.

The management of shock requires immediate intervention, even before a diagnosis is made. Re-establishing perfusion to the organs is the primary goal through restoring and maintaining the blood circulating volume ensuring oxygenation and blood pressure are adequate, achieving and maintaining effective cardiac function, and preventing complications.

Patients attending with the symptoms of shock will have, regardless of the type of shock, their airway managed and oxygen therapy initiated. In case of respiratory insufficiency intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary. A paramedic may intubate in emergencies outside the hospital, whereas a patient with respiratory insufficiency in-hospital will be intubated usually by a respiratory therapist, paramedic, or physician.

The aim of these acts is to ensure survival during the transportation to the hospital; they do not cure the cause of the shock. Specific treatment depends on the cause.

A compromise must be found between:

raising the blood pressure to be able to transport "safely" (when the blood pressure is too low, any motion can lower the heart and brain perfusion, and thus cause death)
respecting the golden hour. If surgery is required, it should be performed within the first hour to maximise the patient's chance of survival.

Source: Wikipedia

Signs and symptoms of Shock

2009-02-14T08:44:00.002+07:00

1. Hypovolemic shock

Anxiety, restlessness, altered mental state due to decreased cerebral perfusion and subsequent hypoxia.
Hypotension due to decrease in circulatory volume.
A rapid, weak, thready pulse due to decreased blood flow combined with tachycardia.
Cool, clammy skin due to vasoconstriction and stimulation of vasoconstriction.
Rapid and shallow respirations due to sympathetic nervous system stimulation and acidosis.
Hypothermia due to decreased perfusion and evaporation of sweat.
Thirst and dry mouth, due to fluid depletion.
Fatigue due to inadequate oxygenation.
Cold and mottled skin (cutis marmorata), especially extremities, due to insufficient perfusion of the skin.
Distracted look in the eyes or staring into space, often with pupils dilated.

2. Cardiogenic shock, similar to hypovolaemic shock but in addition:

Distended jugular veins due to increased jugular venous pressure.
Absent pulse due to tachyarrhythmia.

3. Obstructive shock, similar to hypovolaemic shock but in addition:

Distended jugular veins due to increased jugular venous pressure.
Pulsus paradoxus in case of tamponade

4. Septic shock, similar to hypovolaemic shock except in the first stages:

Pyrexia (fever), due to increased level of cytokines.
Systemic vasodilation resulting in hypotension (low blood pressure).
Systemic leukocyte adhesion to endothelial tissue.
Reduced contractility of the heart.
Diffuse capillary damage in the lung.
Activation of the coagulation pathways, resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Increased levels of neutrophils.

5. Neurogenic shock, similar to hypovolemic shock except in the skin's characteristics. In neurogenic shock, the skin is warm and dry.

6. Anaphylactic shock

Skin eruptions and large welts.
Localised edema, especially around the face.
Weak and rapid pulse.
Breathlessness and cough due to narrowing of airways and swelling of the throat.

Source: Wikipedia

Types of shock

2009-02-12T01:09:00.002+07:00

There are four types of shock according toHinshaw and Cox (1972): hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive and obstructive shock:

1.Hypovolemic shock
This is the most common type of shock and based on insufficient circulating volume. Its primary cause is loss of fluid from the circulation from either an internal or external source. An internal source may be haemorrhage. External causes may include extensive bleeding, high output fistulae or severe burns.

2. Cardiogenic shock
This type of shock is caused by the failure of the heart to pump effectively. This can be due to damage to the heart muscle, most often from a large myocardial infarction. Other causes of cardiogenic shock include arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure (CHF), contusio cordis or cardiac valve problems.

3. Distributive shock
As in hypovolaemic shock there is an insufficient intravascular volume of blood. This form of "relative" hypovolaemia is the result of dilation of blood vessels which diminishes systemic vascular resistance. Examples of this form of shock are:

Septic shock - This is caused by an overwhelming infection leading to vasodilation, such as by Gram negative bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Klebsiella pneumoniae which release an endotoxin which produces adverse biochemical, immunological and occasionally neurological effects which are harmful to the body. Gram-positive cocci, such as pneumococci and streptococci, and certain fungi as well as Gram-positive bacterial toxins produce a similar syndrome.
Anaphylactic shock - Caused by a severe anaphylactic reaction to an allergen, antigen, drug or foreign protein causing the release of histamine which causes widespread vasodilation, leading to hypotension and increased capillary permeability.
Neurogenic shock - Neurogenic shock is the rarest form of shock. It is caused by trauma to the spinal cord resulting in the sudden loss of autonomic and motor reflexes below the injury level. Without stimulation by sympathetic nervous system the vessel walls relax uncontrolled, resulting in a sudden decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, leading to vasodilation and hypotension.

4. Obstructive shock
In this situation the flow of blood is obstructed which impedes circulation and can result in circulatory arrest. Several conditions result in this form of shock.

Cardiac tamponade in which fluid in the pericardium prevents inflow of blood into the heart (venous return). Constrictive pericarditis, in which the pericardium shrinks and hardens, is similar in presentation.
Tension pneumothorax. Through increased intrathoracic pressure, bloodflow to the heart is prevented (venous return).
Massive pulmonary embolism is the result of a thromboembolic incident in the bloodvessels of the lungs and hinders the return of blood to the heart.
Aortic stenosis hinders circulation by obstructing the ventricular outflow tract.

Stages of shock

2009-02-10T21:56:00.003+07:00

There are four stages of shock. As it is a complex and continuous condition there is no sudden transition from one stage to the next.

Initial

During this stage, the hypoperfusional state causes hypoxia, leading to the mitochondria being unable to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Due to this lack of oxygen, the cell membranes become damaged, they become leaky to extra-cellular fluid, and the cells perform anaerobic respiration. This causes a build-up of lactic and pyruvic acid which results in systemic metabolic acidosis. The process of removing these compounds from the cells by the liver requires oxygen, which is absent.

Compensatory (Compensating)

This stage is characterised by the body employing physiological mechanisms, including neural, hormonal and bio-chemical mechanisms in an attempt to reverse the condition. As a result of the acidosis, the person will begin to hyperventilate in order to rid the body of carbon dioxide (CO2).

CO2 indirectly acts to acidify the blood and by removing it the body is attempting to raise the pH of the blood. The baroreceptors in the arteries detect the resulting hypotension, and cause the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Noradrenaline causes predominately vasoconstriction with a mild increase in heart rate, whereas adrenaline predominately causes an increase in heart rate with a small effect on the vascular tone; the combined effect results in an increase in blood pressure.

Renin-angiotensin axis is activated and arginine vasopressin is released to conserve fluid via the kidneys. Also, these hormones cause the vasoconstriction of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs to divert blood to the heart, lungs and brain. The lack of blood to the renal system causes the characteristic low urine production. However the effects of the Renin-angiotensin axis take time and are of little importance to the immediate homeostatic mediation of shock .

Progressive (Decompensating)

Should the cause of the crisis not be successfully treated, the shock will proceed to the progressive stage and the compensatory mechanisms begin to fail. Due to the decreased perfusion of the cells, sodium ions build up within while potassium ions leak out. As anaerobic metabolism continues, increasing the body's metabolic acidosis, the arteriolar smooth muscle and precapillary sphincters relax such that blood remains in the capillaries.

Due to this, the hydrostatic pressure will increase and, combined with histamine release, this will lead to leakage of fluid and protein into the surrounding tissues. As this fluid is lost, the blood concentration and viscosity increase, causing sludging of the micro-circulation. The prolonged vasoconstriction will also cause the vital organs to be compromised due to reduced perfusion. If the bowel becomes sufficiently ischemic, bacteria may enter the blood stream, resulting the increased complication of endotoxic shock.

Refractory (Irreversible)

At this stage, the vital organs have failed and the shock can no longer be reversed. Brain damage and cell death have occurred. Death will occur imminently.

Shock......!

2009-02-08T13:34:00.001+07:00

Circulatory shock, commonly known as just shock, is a serious, life-threatening medical condition where insufficient blood flow reaches the body tissues. As the blood carries oxygen and nutrients around the body, reduced flow hinders the delivery of these components to the tissues, and can stop the tissues from functioning properly. The process of blood entering the tissues is called perfusion, so when perfusion is not occurring properly this is called a hypoperfusional (hypo = below) state.

Circulatory shock should not be confused with the emotional state of shock, as the two are not related. Medical shock is a life-threatening medical emergency and one of the most common causes of death for critically-ill people. Shock can have a variety of effects, all with similar outcomes, but all relate to a problem with the body's circulatory system. For example, shock may lead to hypoxemia (a lack of oxygen in arterial blood) or cardiac arrest (the heart stopping).

Green Tea

2009-02-06T18:37:00.002+07:00

Green Tea has been traditionally used to alleviate stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. It has also been found to reduce tooth decay, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blockages of the blood vessels in the heart that can lead to heart attacks. Herbalists claim Green Tea also has powerful anti-cancer properties and believe that it is also useful in treating some bacterial infections.

The May 2008 issue of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported that green tea polyphenols (GTP, for short) may represent a potential interventional strategy for patients with sleep-disordered breathing, or Sleep Apnea. These compounds reduce the oxidative stress and neurological deficit patterns associated with sleep apnea. In simple terms, what this means is that green tea compounds actually helped in reducing the memory loss and inflammation that afflict sleep apnea sufferers.

Current scientific research in Asia as well as the West is studying exactly how Green Tea works in the human body. A study by University of Purdue recently concluded that an Antioxidant compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Research also suggests that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Studies in Japan have shown that people who drink five or more cups of green tea each day are sixteen per cent less likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.

Green Tea may also be good for people who want to lose weight. In the November 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a University of Geneva study claimed that men who had a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo. Many diets reccomend the consumption of at least two to three cups of green tea a day. This acts as a natural diuretic.

Green Tea contains anti bacterials that prevent food poisoning as well as tooth decay.
It also has cosmetic benefits – Green Tea extracts help the skin to reduce wrinkling, leathering and premature skin aging. Some evidence suggests that green tea reduces the risk of skin cancer. Products containing Green Tea ranging from deodorants and under eye creams to sun screens and creams and face masks, are available in the market today.

With so many health benefits, it is no wonder that Green Tea is considered to be a Super food.

Source: Copperwiki and Wikipedia

Branches of Diarrhea

2009-02-04T15:10:00.003+07:00

Dysentery

Generally, if there is blood visible in the stools, it is not diarrhea, but dysentery. The blood is trace of an invasion of bowel tissue. Dysentery is caused by an excess of water by a release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. Dysentery is a symptom of, among others, Shigella, Entamoeba Histolytica and Salmonella.

Infectious diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea is diarrhea caused by a microbe such as a bacterium, parasite or virus.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption is the inability to absorb food, mostly in the small bowel but also due to the pancreas.

Causes include celiac disease (intolerance to wheat, rye, and barley gluten, the protein of the grain), lactose intolerance (intolerance to milk sugar, common in non-Europeans), fructose malabsorption, pernicious anemia (impaired bowel function due to the inability to absorb vitamin B12), loss of pancreatic secretions (may be due to cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis), (surgically removed bowel), radiation fibrosis (usually following cancer treatment), and other drugs, including agents used in chemotherapy.

Inflammatory bowel disease

The two overlapping types here are of unknown origin:

Ulcerative colitis is marked by chronic bloody diarrhea and inflammation mostly affects the distal colon near the rectum.
Crohn’s disease typically affects fairly well demarcated segments of bowel in the colon and often affects the end of the small bowel.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Another possible cause of diarrhea is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms defining IBS: abdominal discomfort or pain relieved by defecation and unusual stool (diarrhea or constipation or both) or stool frequency, for at least 3 days a week over the previous 3 months. IBS symptoms can be present in patients with a variety of conditions including food allergies, infective diarrhea, celiac, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Treating the underlying condition (celiac disease, food allergy, bacterial dysbiosis, etc.) usually resolves the diarrhea. IBS can cause visceral hypersensitivity. While there is no direct treatment for undifferentiated IBS, symptoms, including diarrhea, can sometimes be managed through a combination of dietary changes, soluble fiber supplements, and/or medications.

It is important to note that IBS can often be confused with Giardiansis since false negative tests for giardia can result in a misdiagnoses of the actual cause, a parasitic infection.

Other important causes

Ischemic bowel disease. This usually affects older people and can be due to blocked arteries.
Bowel cancer : Some (but not all) bowel cancers may have associated diarrhea. Cancer of the large intestine is most common.
Hormone-secreting tumors: some hormones (e.g. serotonin) can cause diarrhea if excreted in excess (usually from a tumor).
Bile salt diarrhea: excess bile salt entering the colon rather than being absorbed at the end of the small intestine can cause diarrhea, typically shortly after eating. Bile salt diarrhea is a bad side-effect of gallbladder removal. It is usually treated with cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant.
Celiac Disease
Intestinal Protozoa such as Giardiasis

Alcohol

Chronic diarrhea can be caused by chronic ethanol ingestion. Consumption of alcohol affects the body's capability to absorb water - this is often a symptom that accompanies a hangover after a binge drinking session. The alcohol itself is absorbed in the intestines and as the intestinal cells absorb it, the toxicity causes these cells to lose their ability to absorb water. This leads to an outpouring of fluid from the intestinal lining, which is in turn poorly absorbed. The diarrhea usually lasts for several hours until the alcohol is detoxified and removed from the digestive system. Symptoms range from person to person and are influenced by both the amount consumed as well as physiological differences.

Treatment

In many cases of diarrhea, replacing lost fluid and salts is the only treatment needed, either ORS (if tolerated) or intravenously. Medicines that are available without a doctor's prescription include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (as found in Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate).

Types of diarrhea

2009-02-02T22:38:00.002+07:00

There are at least four types of diarrhea: secretory diarrhea, osmotic diarrhea, motility-related diarrhea, and inflammatory diarrhea.

1. Secretory diarrhea
Secretory diarrhea means that there is an increase in the active secretion, or there is an inhibition of absorption. There is little to no structural damage. The most common cause of this type of diarrhea is a cholera toxin that stimulates the secretion of anions, especially chloride ions. Therefore, to maintain a charge balance in the lumen, sodium is carried with it, along with water.

2. Osmotic diarrhea
Osmotic diarrhea occurs when too much water is drawn into the bowels. This can be the result of maldigestion (e.g., pancreatic disease or Coeliac disease), in which the nutrients are left in the lumen to pull in water. Osmotic diarrhea can also be caused by osmotic laxatives (which work to alleviate constipation by drawing water into the bowels). In healthy individuals, too much magnesium or vitamin C or undigested lactose can produce osmotic diarrhea and distention of the bowel.
A person who does not have lactose intolerance can have difficulty absorbing lactose after an extraordinarily high intake of dairy products. In persons who do not have fructose malabsorption, excess fructose intake can still cause diarrhea. High-fructose foods that also have a high glucose content are more absorbable and less likely to cause diarrhea. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol (often found in sugar-free foods) are difficult for the body to absorb and, in large amounts, may lead to osmotic diarrhea.

3. Motility-related diarrhea
Motility-related diarrhea is caused by the rapid movement of food through the intestines (hypermotility). If the food moves too quickly through the GI tract, there is not enough time for sufficient nutrients and water to be absorbed. This can be due to a vagotomy or diabetic neuropathy, or a complication of menstruation. Hyperthyroidism can produce hypermotility and lead to pseudodiarrhea and occasionally real diarrhea. Diarrhea can be treated with antimotility agents (such as loperamide).

4. Inflammatory diarrhea
Inflammatory diarrhea occurs when there is damage to the mucosal lining or brush border, which leads to a passive loss of protein-rich fluids, and a decreased ability to absorb these lost fluids. Features of all three of the other types of diarrhea can be found in this type of diarrhea. It can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, parasitic infections, or autoimmune problems such as inflammatory bowel diseases. It can also be caused by tuberculosis, colon cancer, and enteritis.

Diarrhea

2009-01-28T00:35:00.002+07:00

Causes

Diarrhea commonly results from gastroenteritis caused by viral infections, parasites or bacterial toxins. In sanitary living conditions where there is ample food and a supply of clean water, an otherwise healthy patient usually recovers from viral infections in a few days. However, for ill or malnourished individuals diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and can become life-threatening without treatment.

Diarrhea can also be a symptom of more serious diseases, such as dysentery, cholera or botulism, and can also be indicative of a chronic syndrome such as Crohn’s disease or severe mushroom poisoning syndromes. Though appendicitis patients do not generally have violent diarrhea, it is a common symptom of a ruptured appendix. It is also an effect of severe radiation sickness.

Diarrhea can also be caused by dairy intake in those who are lactose intolerant.
Symptomatic treatment for diarrhea involves the patient consuming adequate amounts of water to replace that loss, preferably mixed with electrolytes to provide essential salts and some amount of nutrients. For many people, further treatment is unnecessary. The following types of diarrhea indicate medical supervision is required:

Diarrhea in infants
Moderate or severe diarrhea in young children;
Diarrhea associated with blood
Diarrhea that continues for more than two days;
Diarrhea that is associated with more general illness such as non-cramping abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, etc;
Diarrhea in travelers, since they are more likely to have exotic infections such as parasites;
Diarrhea in food handlers, because of the potential to infect others;
Diarrhea in institutions such as hospitals, child care centers, or geriatric and convalescent homes.

A severity score is used to aid diagnosis in children.

Vitamin C

2008-12-20T18:28:00.001+07:00

Vitamin C or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for a large number of higher primate species, a small number of other mammalian species (notably guinea pigs and bats), a few species of birds, and some fish.

The presence of ascorbate is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions in all animals and plants. It is made internally by almost all organisms, humans being an exception. It is widely known as the vitamin whose deficiency causes scurvy in humans. It is also widely used as a food additive.

The pharmacophore of vitamin C is the ascorbate ion. In living organisms, ascorbate is an anti-oxidant, since it protects the body against oxidative stress, and is a cofactor in several vital enzymatic reactions.

The uses and the daily requirement amounts of vitamin C are matters of on-going debate. People consuming diets rich in ascorbate from natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are healthier and have lower mortality from a number of chronic illnesses. However, a recent meta-analysis of 68 reliable antioxidant supplementation experiments involving a total of 232,606 individuals concluded that consuming additional ascorbate from supplements may not be as beneficial as thought.

Function

In humans, vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress, a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase, and an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals. Vitamin C acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes.

Three participate in collagen hydroxylation. These reactions add hydroxyl groups to the amino acids proline or lysine in the collagen molecule (via prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase), thereby allowing the collagen molecule to assume its triple helix structure and making vitamin C essential to the development and maintenance of scar tissue, blood vessels and cartilage.
Two are necessary for synthesis of carnitine. Carnitine is essential for the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria for ATP generation.
The remaining three have the following functions:

dopamine beta hydroxylase participates in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine.
another enzyme adds amide groups to peptide hormones, greatly increasing their stability.
one modulates tyrosine metabolism.

Biological tissues that accumulate over 100 times the level in blood plasma of vitamin C are the adrenal glands, pituitary, thymus, corpus luteum, and retina. Those with 10 to 50 times the concentration present in blood plasma include the brain, spleen, lung, testicle, lymph nodes, liver, thyroid, small intestinal mucosa, leukocytes, pancreas, kidney and salivary glands.

LDL and HDL Cholesterol

2008-12-16T12:06:00.000+07:00

Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count, which can be determined through a blood test.

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol

When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.

HDL (good) Cholesterol

About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup.

Triglycerides

Triglyceride is a form of fat made in the body. Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more). People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (bad) level and a low HDL (good) level. Many people with heart disease and/or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.

Lp(a) Cholesterol

Lp(a) is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high level of Lp(a) is a significant risk factor for the premature development of fatty deposits in arteries. Lp(a) isn’t fully understood, but it may interact with substances found in artery walls and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits.

Cholesterol

2008-12-14T23:13:00.000+07:00

It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history), while some of it comes from the food we eat.

There are two types of cholesterol: “good” and “bad.” It’s important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

The Two Sources of Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat.
LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, lifestyle modifications may not be enough to help lower your LDL blood cholesterol. Everyone is different, so work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that's best for you.

Epidemiology and Etiology Of Breast Cancer

2008-12-12T21:04:00.002+07:00

Epidemiological risk factors for a disease can provide important clues as to the etiology, or cause, of a disease. The first case-controlled study on breast cancer epidemiology was done by Janet Lane-Claypon, who published a comparative study in 1926 of 500 breast cancer cases and 500 control patients of the same background and lifestyle for the British Ministry of Health.

Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors. Some of these factors include:

Lesions to DNA such as genetic mutations. Mutations that can lead to breast cancer have been experimentally linked to estrogen exposure. Beyond the contribution of estrogen, research has implicated viral oncogenesis and the contribution of ionizing radiation in causing genetic mutations.
Failure of immune surveillance, a theory in which the immune system removes malignant cells throughout one's life.
Abnormal growth factor signaling in the interaction between stromal cells and epithelial cells can facilitate malignant cell growth. For example, tumors can induce blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) by secreting various growth factors further facilitating cancer growth.
Inherited defects in DNA repair genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and p5. For example, people in less-developing countries reported to have low incidence rate than other in developed countries.

Although many epidemiological risk factors have been identified, the cause of any individual breast cancer is often unknowable. In other words, epidemiological research informs the patterns of breast cancer incidence across certain populations, but not in a given individual. Due to breast cancer is vary in different racial and ethnic group. The primary risk factors that have been identified are sex, age, childbearing, hormones, a high-fat diet, alcohol intake, obesity, and environmental factors such as tobacco use, radiation and shiftwork.

No etiology is known for 95% of breast cancer cases, while approximately 5% of new breast cancers are attributable to hereditary syndromes. In particular, carriers of the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at a 30-40% increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, depending on in which portion of the protein the mutation occurs.

Worldwide, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer amongst women, with an incidence rate more than twice that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. However breast cancer mortality worldwide is just 25% greater than that of lung cancer in women. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on modern lifestyles in the Western world.

The incidence of breast cancer varies greatly around the world, being lower in less-developed countries and greatest in the more-developed countries. In the twelve world regions, the annual age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 women are as follows: in Eastern Asia, 18; South Central Asia, 22; sub-Saharan Africa, 22; South-Eastern Asia, 26; North Africa and Western Asia, 28; South and Central America, 42; Eastern Europe, 49; Southern Europe, 56; Northern Europe, 73; Oceania, 74; Western Europe, 78; and in North America, 90.

Source: Wikipedia

Signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer

2008-12-10T23:10:00.000+07:00

The first syptom, or subjective sign, of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different than the surrounding breast tissue. According to the Merck Manual, more than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the first medical sign, or objective indication of breast cancer as detected by a physician, is discovered by mammogram. Lumps found in lymph nodes located in the armpits and/or collarbone can also indicate breast cancer.

Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge. Pain is an unreliable tool in determining the presence or absence of breast cancer, but may be indicative of other breast-related health issues such as mastodynia.

When breast cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.

Another reported symptom complex of breast cancer is Paget’s disease of the breast. This syndrome presents as eczematoid skin changes such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. As Paget's advances, symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple. Approximately half of women diagnosed with Paget's also have a lump in the breast.

Occasionally, breast cancer presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Metastatic breast cancer will cause symptoms that depend on the location of metastasis. More common sites of metastasis include bone, liver, lung and brain. Unexplained weight loss can occasionally herald an occult breast cancer, as can symptoms of fevers or chills. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms. These symptoms are "non-specific," meaning they can also be manifestations of many other illnesses.

Most symptoms of breast disorder do not turn out to represent underlying breast cancer. Benign breast diseases such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms. The appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors, because of the possibility of an underlying breast cancer at almost any age.

Source: Wikipedia

Breast Cancer

2008-12-09T21:28:00.004+07:00

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths).

Because the breast is composed of identical tissues in males and females, breast cancer also occurs in males. Incidences of breast cancer in men are approximately 100 times less common than in women, but men with breast cancer are considered to have the same statistical survival rates as women.

Classification

Breast cancers are described along four different classification schemes, or groups, each based on different criteria and serving a different purpose:

Pathology - Each tumor is classified by its histological (microscopic anatomy) appearance and other criteria.
Grade of tumor - The histological grade of a tumor is determined by a pathologist under a microscope. A well-differentiated (low grade) tumor resembles normal tissue. A poorly differentiated (high grade) tumor is composed of disorganized cells and, therefore, does not look like normal tissue. Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade) tumors are somewhere in between.
Protein & gene expression status - Currently, all breast cancers should be tested for expression, or detectable effect, of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu proteins. These tests are usually done by immunohistochemistry and are presented in a pathologist's report. The profile of expression of a given tumor helps predict its prognosis, or outlook, and helps an oncologist choose the most appropriate treatment. More genes and/or proteins may be tested in the future.
Stage of a tumor - The currently accepted staging scheme for breast cancer is the TNM classification. This considers the Tumor itself, whether it has spread to lymph Nodes, and whether there are any Metastases to locations other than the breast and lymph nodes.

Breast cancer is usually, but not always, primarily classified by its histological appearance. Rare variants are defined on the basis of physical exam findings. For example, Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a form of ductal carcinoma or malignant cancer in the ducts, is distinguished from other carcinomas by the inflamed appearance of the affected breast. In the future, some pathologic classifications may be changed. For example, a subset of ductal carcinomas may be re-named basal-like carcinoma (part of the “triple-negative” tumors).

Source: Wikipedia

Typhus

2008-11-02T21:47:00.003+07:00

Typhus is any of several similar diseases caused by louse-borne bacteria.The name comes from the Greek typhos, meaning smoky or lazy, describing the state of mind of those affected with typhus. The causative organism Rickettsia is an obligate parasite and cannot survive for long outside living cells. Rickettsia is endemic in rodent hosts, including mice and rats, and spreads to humans through mites, fleas and body lice. The arthropod vector flourishes under conditions of poor hygiene, such as those found in prisons, concentration camps, or refugee camps, amongst the homeless, or until the middle of the 20th century, in armies in the field. In developed countries, typhus is primarily transmitted by common fleas. In tropical countries, typhus is often mistaken for dengue fever.

Most rickettsial diseases include the word "typhus" in their description, however related diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and "spotted fevers" endemic in Colombia and Brazil.

Types of typhus

Epidemic typhus

Epidemic typhus (also called "Camp Fever", "Jail Fever", "Hospital Fever", "Ship Fever", "Famine Fever", "Petechial Fever", and "louse-borne typhus") is so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters. The causative organism is Rickettsia prowazekii, transmitted by the human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis). Feeding on a human who carries the bacillus infects the louse. R. prowazekii grows in the louse's gut and is excreted in its feces. The disease is then transmitted to an uninfected human who scratches the louse bite (which itches) and rubs the feces into the wound. The incubation period is one to two weeks. R. prowazekii can remain viable and virulent in the dried louse feces for many days. Typhus will eventually kill the louse, though the disease will remain viable for many weeks in the dead louse.

Symptoms include severe headache, a sustained high fever, cough, rash, severe muscle pain, chills, falling blood pressure, stupor, sensitivity to light, and delirium. A rash begins on the chest about five days after the fever appears, and spreads to the trunk and extremities but does not reach the face, palms and soles. A symptom common to all forms of typhus is a fever which may reach 39°C (102°F).

The infection is treated with antibiotics. Intravenous fluids and oxigen may be needed to stabilize the patient. The mortality rate is 10% to 60%, but is vastly lower if antibiotics such as tetracycline are used early. Infection can also be prevented via vaccination. Brill-Zinsser disease, first described by Nathan Brill in 1913 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, is a mild form of epidemic typhus which recurs in someone after a long period of latency (similar to the relationship between chickenpox and shingles). This type of recurrence can also occur in immunosuppressed patients.

Epidemic typhus is found most frequently during times of war and privation. For example, typhus killed many thousands of prisoners in Nazi Germany concentration camps during World War II. The abysmally low standards of hygiene enforced in camps such as Theresienstadt and Bergen-Belsen created conditions where diseases such as typhus flourished. A possible scenario for typhus epidemics in the 21st Century would be in refugee camps during a major famine or natural disaster.

Endemic typhus

Endemic typhus (also called "flea-borne typhus" and "murine typhus" or "rat flea typhus") is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, and is transmitted by the fleas that infest rats. Less often, endemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia felis and transmitted by fleas carried by cats or opossums. Symptoms of endemic typhus include headache, fever, chills, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, and cough. Endemic typhus is highly treatable with antibiotics. Most people recover fully, but death may occur in the elderly, severely disabled or patients with a depressed immune system. Symptoms may resemble those of measles, rubella, or possibly Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Scrub typhus

Scrub typhus (also called "chigger-borne typhus") is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted by chiggers, which are found in areas of heavy scrub vegetation. This variety of typhus was known in Japan as tsutsugamushi disease, hence the formal name, and was also prevalent in Malaysia and Australia. According to J. R. Audy, severe epidemics of the disease occurred among troops in what was then known as Burma and Ceylon during World War II. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms. More virulent strains of O. tsutsugamushi can cause hemorrhaging and intravascular coagulation. Contact with species related to the chigger mite, found in many parts of the world, can also cause an intense irritation of the human skin.

Vaccine

The first major step in the development of the vaccine was Charles Nicolle’s 1909 discovery that lice were the vectors for epidemic typhus. This made it possible to isolate the bacteria causing the disease and develop a vaccine; he was awarded the 1928 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this work. Nicolle attempted a vaccine but was not successful in making one that worked on a large enough scale.

Henrique da Rocha Lima in 1916 then proved that the bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii was the agent responsible for typhus; he named bacteria after H.T. Ricketts and Stanislaus von Prowazek, two zoologists who died investigating a typhus epidemic in a prison camp in 1915. Once these crucial facts were recognized, Rudolf Weigl in 1930 was able to fashion a practical and effective vaccine production method by grinding up the insides of infected lice that had been drinking blood. It was, however, very dangerous to produce, and carried a high likelihood of infection to those who were working on it.

A safer mass-production-ready method using egg yolks was developed by Herald R. Cox in 1938. This vaccine was widely available and used extensively by 1943.

Source: Wikipedia

Hepatitis

2008-10-31T10:50:00.005+07:00

The word hepatitis simply means an inflammation of the liver without pinpointing a specific cause. Someone with hepatitis may:

have one of several disorders, including viral or bacterial infection of the liver
have a liver injury caused by a toxin (poison)
have liver damage caused by interruption of the organ's normal blood supply
be experiencing an attack by his or her own immune system through an autoimmune disorder
have experienced trauma to the abdomen in the area of the liver

Hepatitis is most commonly caused by one of three viruses:

the hepatitis A virus
the hepatitis B virus
the hepatitis C virus

In some rare cases, the Epstein Barr Virus (which causes mononucleosis) can also result in hepatitis because it can cause inflammation of the liver. Other viruses and bacteria that also can cause hepatitis include hepatitis D and E, varicella (chickenpox), and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Hepatitis A

In children, the most common form of hepatitis is hepatitis A (also called infectious hepatitis). This form is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which lives in the stools (feces or poop) of infected individuals. Infected stool can be present in small amounts in food and on objects (from doorknobs to diapers).

The hepatitis A virus is spread:

when someone ingests anything that's contaminated with HAV-infected stool (this makes it easy for the virus to spread in overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions)
in water, milk, and foods, especially in shellfish

Because hepatitis A can be a mild infection, particularly in children, it's possible for some people to be unaware that they have had the illness. In fact, although medical tests show that about 40% of urban Americans have had hepatitis A, only about 5% recall being sick. Although the hepatitis A virus can cause prolonged illness up to 6 months, it typically only causes short-lived illnesses and it does not cause chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B (also called serum hepatitis) is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer.

The hepatitis B virus spreads through:

infected body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine
a contaminated blood transfusion (uncommon in the United States)
shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
sexual activity with an HBV-infected person
transmission from HBV-infected mothers to their newborn babies

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood. The symptoms of the hepatitis C virus can be very similar to those of the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with the hepatitis C virus can lead to chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant in the United States.

The hepatitis C virus can be spread by:

sharing drug needles
getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools
blood transfusions (especially ones that occurred before 1992; since then the U.S. blood supply has been routinely screened for the disease)
transmission from mother to newborn
sexual contact (although this is less common)

Hepatitis C is also a common threat in kidney dialysis centers. Rarely, people living with an infected person can contract the disease by sharing items that might contain that person's blood, such as razors or toothbrushes.

Diagnosis

All of these viral hepatitis conditions can be diagnosed and followed through the use of readily available blood test.

Signs and Symptoms

Hepatitis, in its early stages, may cause flu-like symptoms, including:

malaise (a general ill feeling)
fever
muscle aches
loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

But some people with hepatitis may have no symptoms at all and may not even know they're infected. Children with hepatitis A, for example, usually have mild symptoms or have no symptoms.

If hepatitis progresses, its symptoms begin to point to the liver as the source of illness. Chemicals normally secreted by the liver begin to build up in the blood, which causes:

jaundice
foul breath
a bitter taste in the mouth
dark or "tea-colored" urine
white, light, or "clay-colored" stools

There can also be abdominal pain, which may be centered below the right ribs (over a tender, swollen liver) or below the left ribs (over a tender spleen).

Contagiousness

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all contagious.

The hepatitis A virus can be spread in contaminated food or water, as well as in unsanitary conditions in child-care facilities or schools. Toilets and sinks used by an infected person should be cleaned with antiseptic cleansers. People who live with or care for someone with hepatitis should wash their hands after contact with the infected person. In addition, when traveling to countries where hepatitis A is prevalent, your child should be vaccinated with at least two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine.

The hepatitis B virus can be found in virtually all body fluids, though its main routes of infection are through sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusions, and shared needles for drug injections. Household contact with adults with hepatitis B can put people at risk for contracting hepatitis. But frequent hand washing and good hygiene practices can reduce this risk.
All kids in the United States are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth and use of the hepatitis B vaccine can greatly decrease the incidence of this infection. Ask your doctor about this vaccine. Even adults can be vaccinated if they feel they're at risk.

The hepatitis C virus can be spread through shared drug needles, contaminated blood products, and, less commonly, through sexual contact. Although hepatitis C can be spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, the risk of passing hepatitis C to the fetus isn't very high (about 5%). If you're pregnant, contact your doctor if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C.

Over the past several years, improved medical technology has almost eliminated the risk of catching hepatitis from contaminated blood products and blood transfusions. But as tattoos and acupuncture have become more popular, the risk of developing hepatitis from improperly sterilized equipment used in these procedures has increased. Shared needles in drug use and shared straws in cocaine use are two very common ways for hepatitis C to spread.

Prevention

In general, to prevent viral hepatitis you should:

Follow good hygiene and avoid crowded, unhealthy living conditions.
Take extra care, particularly when drinking and swimming, if you travel to areas of the world where sanitation is poor and water quality is uncertain.
Never eat shellfish from waters contaminated by sewage.
Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating.
Use antiseptic cleansers to clean any toilet, sink, potty-chair, or bedpan used by someone in the family who develops hepatitis.

Because contaminated needles and syringes are a major source of hepatitis infection, it's a good idea to encourage drug awareness programs in your community and schools. At home, speak to your child frankly and frequently about the dangers of drug use. It's also important to encourage abstinence and safe sex for teens, in order to eliminate their risk of hepatitis infection through sexual contact.

A hepatitis A vaccine is available, and is especially recommended for those who:

travel abroad
have other forms of liver disease
have many sexual partners
are in high-risk occupations, such as health-care and child-care personnel

If you're planning to travel abroad, consult your doctor in advance so you and your family have enough time to complete the required immunizations. The vaccine is especially useful for staff of child-care facilities or schools where they may be at risk of exposure.

There's also a hepatitis B vaccine, which should be given to both children and adults as part of routine immunization.

Unfortunately, there's no vaccine for hepatitis C — animal studies indicate that it may not be possible because the virus doesn't cause the kind of response that would be needed for a vaccine to be successful.

Duration

For viral hepatitis, the incubation period (the time it takes for a person to become infected after being exposed) varies depending on which hepatitis virus causes the disease:

For hepatitis A, the incubation period is 2 to 6 weeks.
For hepatitis B, the incubation period is between 4 and 20 weeks.
For hepatitis C, it's estimated that the incubation period is 2 to 26 weeks.

Hepatitis A is usually active for a short period of time and once a person recovers, he or she can no longer pass the virus to other people. It's practically unheard for people to become chronic carriers of hepatitis A. Almost all previously healthy persons who develop hepatitis A will completely recover from their illness in a few weeks or months without long-term complications.
With hepatitis B, 85% to 90% of patients recover from their illness completely within 6 months, without long-term complications.

However, 75% to 85% of those who are infected with hepatitis C do not recover completely and are more likely to continue to have a long-term infection. People with hepatitis B (the percentage who don't recover completely) or hepatitis C who continue to be infected can go on to develop chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (the chronic degeneration and disruption of the structure of the liver). Some people with hepatitis B or C may also become lifelong carriers of these viruses and can spread them to other people.

Treatment

When symptoms are severe or laboratory tests show liver damage, it's sometimes necessary for hepatitis to be treated in the hospital. Here's a quick look at the treatments available for the various hepatitis viruses:

There are no medications used to treat hepatitis A because it's a short-term infection that goes away on its own.
Hepatitis B can sometimes be treated using medications. Four drugs are approved for use in adults with hepatitis B, but there hasn't been enough research yet on their use in children. However, you can talk to your child's doctor about a drug that may be available in some centers on a research basis for children.
The treatment of hepatitis C has improved significantly with the use of two medications, only one of which is approved for use in children. Another more effective drug isn't approved for children yet but is available for kids in some centers on a research basis. In those adults who've just been infected with hepatitis C (by accidental needle injury, for example), combination therapy with the two drugs is the treatment of choice and can eliminate the virus in about 50% of the people infected.

Children with mild hepatitis may be treated at home. Except for using the bathroom, they should rest in bed until the fever and jaundice are gone and their appetite is normal. Kids with a lack of appetite should try smaller, more frequent meals and fluids that are high in calories (like milkshakes). They should also eat healthy foods rich in protein and carbohydrates and drink plenty of water.

When to Call the Doctor

Call the doctor if your child:

has symptoms of hepatitis
attends a school or child-care facility where someone has hepatitis
has been exposed to a friend or relative with the illness

If you have an older child who volunteers at a first-aid station, hospital, or nursing home, be sure that he or she is aware of proper safety procedures for preventing contact with blood or body fluids. You may also want to have your child immunized against the hepatitis B virus. Call your doctor if you believe your child may have been exposed to a patient with hepatitis.

If you already know your child has hepatitis, call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of their liver condition worsening:

confusion or extreme drowsiness
skin rash
itching

Also, monitor your child's appetite and digestive functions, and call the doctor if your child's appetite decreases, or if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice increase.

Source: http://kidshealth.org/
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Originally reviewed by: Cecilia DiPentima, MD

Chemotherapy and Radiation

2008-10-25T04:42:00.000+07:00

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment used in all the other cancer treatments to stop the growth of cancer cells. You can take this treatment on a monthly basis or you may take intravenously. Duration of the chemotherapy depends on the type of drugs as well as the type of cancer to cure.

This treatment is used before or after surgery while treating pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and likewise any other cancer which need surgery. Your doctor or care giver decides the duration and the type of chemotherapy you will receive.

Radiation is helpful to lower the cancer pain in some circumstances. The pains those spread to bones, blood vessels, brain, nerves, spine etc are treated by radiation chemotherapy. It also used to reduce the size of tumor which helps to reduce pressure on organs and nerves.
The specialist who gives this treatment is called as radiation oncologist and he decides the dosage of radiation and oversees the treatment. Implantation is also used for radiation and in this technique the radio active material helps to kill cancer cells.

Radiotherapy or chemotherapy is mostly given after surgery. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduce the risk of comeback of breast cancer. It is given concurrently or sequentially means one after the other. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy together are more useful than using them individually.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy must be given within a period of seven months after surgery. The treatment could be taken as outpatient and so it is not required to admit in the hospital. Radiation is a therapy in which high energy X-rays are used to destroy cancer cells. The fix amount of radiation is directed for local lymph-nodes and tumor. But generally most of the patients are given low doses of radiation along with chemotherapy, which help to increase the positive result of the treatment.

There are some side effects of radiation including skin irritation and redness and in order to avoid these side effects, you can use skin creams after consulting your doctor. It also includes other side effects like omitting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, decreased appetite and abdominal cramping etc. There are some medicines available in the market to prevent the side effects and you can take them along with your chemo treatment after consulting with your doctor.

Source:
Kate Savage

Fight Cancer Self Hypnosis Help For Cancer

2008-10-22T15:52:00.001+07:00

You can help fight cancer with the support of self-hypnosis as a guide. A recording can assist in fighting pain from the disease. Conditions like leukemia require you to be a fighter that exceeds the strength that a boxer needs. You can battle your condition whether it is a tumor or another cancerous form.

Comprehensive Cancer Self-Help Approach

You can take a proactive stance in your condition by addressing the psychological and physical obstacles you face. You can do this effortlessly by using the subconscious mind as a guide. You are facing additional stress as you battle the disease and your physical condition is challenging as well.

Adding self-hypnosis as a complementary approach to your treatment plan is effective in helping you both mentally and physically. You are better able to follow doctor directives when your subconscious mind is engaged. This helps you create new habits that can make your treatment more effective.

Emotional Components

You have additional stress and anxiousness in dealing with your condition. Self-hypnosis is a tool that can assist you in your efforts to change your thinking patterns in order to deal with your emotions more effectively. The approach is naturally relaxing and it can address negative emotions that can get in the way of your progress.

Your focus can shift from fear and anxiety to calm confidence. Self-hypnosis can help fight cancer on an emotional level so you can focus your energy on recovery. When you are calm and relaxed, you are better able to put forth the effort necessary to improve your health.

Sleep Issues

Somewhere between emotion and physical realms of healing is sleep. Sleeping is a necessity when you are battling cancer but you may fail to get enough rest with this condition. Excessive worry stress and physical pain can seriously disrupt your sleeping patterns.

Self-hypnosis can help you get more sleep and the rest that you get is of better quality. You need restful sleep in order to overcome you cancerous condition. Rest is an essential component in your treatment and it is very important that you receive the rest you need to feel better mentally and physically.

Physical Components

Your mind has a great influence on your body's ability to heal. Self-hypnosis can help fight cancer by reprogramming your mind to create positive thought patterns that focus on healing and remission. The process enables you to visualize your healing, creating a belief that you will triumph over cancer.

You may have core beliefs that work against your progress. These exist on a subconscious level. You can use hypnosis to replace counterproductive beliefs with affirming, supportive ones. This is a very important component in your ability to fight the symptoms and overcome your condition.

Relieving pain is one of the most important factors to consider in adopting self-hypnosis into your treatment plan. You have the power to block pain through your subconscious mind. This helps you take your focus off the discomfort and on to your healing.

With a combination of mental and emotional components, self-hypnosis is the ideal complementary approach to help fight cancer.

Source:
J Seymour
A Writter with Self Help Recordings

Baldness and Graying of Hair

2008-09-13T00:57:00.000+07:00

Hair springs from the true skin, with a root and a stem. The sebaceous glands open into the follicles of the hair and if there is a malfunctioning of these glands, there is dryness of hair. Overactive sebaceous glands tend to make the hair oily to which dust and grime have a tendency to stick making them look unkempt and unruly.

The varying tint of the hair is due to the pigment scattered in varying amounts throughout the hair and white hairs are produced if there are numerous air spaces throughout the cells composing them. The hair grows at the rate of 15 centimeters or about 6 inches a year. But in most persons the hairs have a tendency to fall when they reach a particular length; new hair grow from the papilla of the old hairs which have fallen off.

There is a tendency of the hair to lose their natural color with advancing age. If the hair turns gray with age, it is but natural but premature graying is a morbid condition, the causative factors of which include chronic cold, sinusitis and a constitution given to indulgence in emotions like anger and passion. Worry and sudden shock (as of a loved one dying unexpectedly) are also precipitating factors. People who are in the habit of washing their hair with hot water or women who use hair dryers are more prone to suffer from premature graying of the hair than others.

Lack of care of the hair, a tendency to wash them with hot water or to dry them with electric dryers which emit a blast of hot air, are some of the precipitating factors. Hair dyes used in the earlier stages (when the hair has just started graying) also accentuate the process of graying. Chronic cold being one of the causative factors must be first dealt with if there is premature graying of hair. Factory-made hair oils (they are generally cleaned with acids and some of the acids have a tendency to remain in the oil) tend to strengthen the tendency of premature graying.

By Krishan Bakhru

What Is a Heart Attack?

2008-09-01T12:18:00.006+07:00

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Heart attack is a leading killer of both men and women in the United States. But fortunately, today there are excellent treatments for heart attack that can save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms. If you think you or someone you’re with is having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 right away.

Overview

Heart attacks occur most often as a result of a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, a fatty material called plaque (plak) builds up over many years on the inside walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your heart). Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the part of the heart muscle fed by the artery.

Heart with muscle damage and a blocked artery

Figure A is an overview of a heart and coronary artery showing damage (dead heart muscle) caused by a heart attack. Figure B is a cross-section of the coronary artery with plaque buildup and a blood clot.

During a heart attack, if the blockage in the coronary artery isn’t treated quickly, the heart muscle will begin to die and be replaced by scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.

Severe problems linked to heart attack can include heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. Ventricular fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated quickly.

Get Help Quickly

Acting fast at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms.

The most common heart attack signs and symptoms are:

Chest discomfort or pain—uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath may occur with or before chest discomfort.

Other signs include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

If you think you or someone you know may be having a heart attack:

Call 9–1–1 within a few minutes—5 at the most—of the start of symptoms.

If your symptoms stop completely in less than 5 minutes, still call your doctor.

Only take an ambulance to the hospital. Going in a private car can delay treatment.

Take a nitroglycerin pill if your doctor has prescribed this type of medicine.

Cancer cured by the rosy periwinkle

2008-08-27T07:16:00.001+07:00

The rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is native only to the tropical forests of Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, found off the east coast of Africa.

This pretty plant gives us two very important cancer-fighting medicines: vinblastine and vincristine. Vinblastine has helped increase the chance of surviving childhood leukaemia from 10% to 95%, while vincristine is used to treat Hodgkins' Disease.

Traditional Madagascan healers used the rosy periwinkle for treating diabetes. This led to its study by western scientists who then discovered its anti-cancer properties. These medicines have proved very profitable for global drug companies.

Worldwide sales are worth over £75 million a year, but virtually none of this money finds its way back to Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world. Recent international agreements have tried to ensure that more profits from the commercial development of animal and plant species return to the countries of origin.

Tips a Healthy Life for Men

2008-08-20T12:26:00.002+07:00

Here, a great tips for healthy life for Men:

1. Eat healthy
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There's more truth to this saying than we once thought. What you eat and drink and what you don't eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is at an all time high in the United States, and the epidemic may be getting worse. Those who are overweight or obese have increased risks for diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Eat better, get regular exercise, and see your health care provider about any health concerns to make sure you are on the right track to staying healthy.

3. Get Moving
More than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. For adults, thirty minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week is recommended. It doesn't take a lot of time or money, but it does take commitment. Start slowly, work up to a satisfactory level, and don't overdo it. You can develop one routine, or you can do something different every day. Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good, such as dancing, gardening, cutting the grass, swimming, walking, or jogging.

4. Be Smoke-Free
Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer and lung disease. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged. Second-hand smoke - smoke that you inhale when others smoke - also affects your health. If you smoke, quit today! Help lines, counseling, medications, and other forms of support are available to help you quit.

5. Get Routine Exams and Screenings
Sometimes they're once a year. Other times they're more or less often. Based on your age, health history, lifestyle, and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers of the skin, prostate, and colon. When problems are found early, your chances for treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.

6. Get Appropriate Vaccinations
They’re not just for kids. Adults need them too. Some vaccinations are for everyone. Others are recommended if you work in certain jobs, have certain lifestyles, travel to certain places, or have certain health conditions. Protect yourself from illness and disease by keeping up with your vaccinations.

7. Manage Stress
Perhaps now more than ever before; job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the health of organizations. Balancing obligations to your employer and your family can be challenging. What's your stress level today? Protect your mental and physical health by engaging in activities that help you manage your stress at work and at home.

8. Know yourself and Your Risks
Your parents and ancestors help determine some of who you are. Your habits, work and home environments and lifestyle also help to define your health and your risks. You may be at an increased risk for certain diseases or conditions because of what you do, where you work, and how you play. Being healthy means doing some homework, knowing yourself, and knowing what's best for you... because you are one of a kind.

9. Be Safe-Protect yourself
What comes to mind when you think about safety and protecting yourself? Is it fastening seat belts, applying sunscreen, wearing helmets, or having smoke detectors? It's all of these and more. It's everything from washing your hands to watching your relationships. Did you know that men at work die most frequently from motor vehicle incidents, machine-related injuries, homicides, and falls? Take steps to protect yourself and others wherever you are.

10. Be Good to yourself
Health is not merely the absence of disease; it's a lifestyle. Whether it's getting enough sleep, relaxing after a stressful day, or enjoying a hobby, it's important to take time to be good to yourself. Take steps to balance work, home, and play. Pay attention to your health, and make healthy living a part of your life.

Vitamins to Enhance Hair Growth

2008-08-10T07:33:00.000+07:00

As men and women age, there is always a tendency for receding hairlines to appear. Because of this, the need when it comes to vitamins for hair growth is very common among these people. In fact, many men and women all over the world are looking for ways to make their hair grow faster or healthier or thicker. With the prevalence of hair products nowadays that promises healthier hair growth, there are now quite a number of options that these people can go for when it comes to their crowning glories.

As hair is comprised of 80 percent protein, it definitely follows that it needs vitamins for hair growth. With this, it has been noted that products for the hair that has a high concentration of protein and B vitamins will indeed result in faster hair growth. As such, if anyone has to buy a hair growth product, then its formulation should include B complex, inositol and folic acid. This is because inositol works at preventing falling hair and at strengthening the cell membranes. Meanwhile, folic acid is known for speeding up new cell production, which is highly essential when it comes to hair growth that is faster.

However, vitamins for hair growth are not the only things that are need to make sure that a person's hair grows faster. Cleanliness when it comes to one's hair is also a very important component in hair growth. This is because the pores where the hair grows through, which must always be kept free of any types of blockages and should be kept clean at all times, also play an important role in the growing of one's hair. It is also a known fact that treatments for hair growth work better when used on a clean scalp. This is probably the reason on these treatment kits including shampoos as well.

There are also vitamins for hair growth that prevent hair loss as well. Some of these essential vitamins are the B vitamins, as these are great sources of such components as Magnesium, Inositol, Biotin, Zinc, Folic Acid and Sulfur. Based on studies, the intake of these nutrients in appropriate amounts could also greatly prevent premature thinning of hair. This is because, based on statements made by experts, hair loss that comes in patches are often a result of a diet that is relatively low in magnesium while diets that are also low in inositol or biotin could also lead to complete baldness as well.

There are really essential vitamins for hair growth that are quite helpful when it comes to improving the quality of one's mane. However, these vitamins should also be used in the appropriate amounts or these could also lead to baldness. One of the vitamins that could bring both good and bad effects to the hair, especially if used in the wrong way, is vitamin A. One should always use vitamins in moderation.

To learn more about vitamins for hair growth, please visit Hair Loss Guru for current