LifeStyle - Health and Beauty

Vitamins For A Healthy Heart

2011-05-01T01:33:00.000+07:00

As we all know, vitamins are very important when it comes to keeping your heart healthy. You need to eat the right foods of course, although you also need to supplement the food you eat with the necessary vitamins your body needs to stay in shape and keep your heart working healthy for a long time to come. If you don’t consume the right nutrients, you won’t be doing your heart any favors - and may end up having problems later on in life.

The first vitamin that comes to mind for most people is vitamin E, a vitamin that is essential to improving the overall health of your heart. When taken correctly, vitamin E will stop the cholesterol in the body from harming the arteries that surround the heart. Anytime cholesterol oxidizes, it sticks to the sides of the arteries and can lead to blockages which can cause heart attacks or other serious problems with the heart.

To help you keep your heart healthy, most doctors recommend that you take additional supplements that contain vitamin E. They may also suggest that you eat foods that are naturally rich in vitamin E, such as nuts. Nuts have high amounts of vitamin E, and most of them taste great. You can find other foods that contain vitamin E as well, although nuts have the highest amounts.

In the past, research has shown Vitamin E to help those who have already suffered the wrath of a heart attack. This vitamin helps to prevent heart attacks in the future by opening up the arteries and eliminate blockage. Those who have had a heart attack in the past are always encouraged to add more vitamin E to their diet.

What many aren’t aware of, is the fact that you can use vitamin C to boost the effects of vitamin E. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant, which prevents the damaging effects that cholesterol has on the body. Along with preventing cholesterol from damaging the body, vitamin C also helps vitamin E with it’s functions - such as protecting your arteries and your heart.

By taking both vitamin C and E as a combination, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier heart. Overall, this is the easiest way that you can be sure you aren’t damaging your heart, especially if you have had a heart attack in the past. If you have a history of heart disease or heart problems in your family, these vitamins are essential to your diet. Even if you are just concerned about the health of your heart, these vitamins will give you the peace of mind in knowing that you are eating for a healthy heart.

As far as your dosage goes, it will vary from person to person, although 400 international units of vitamin E and C are the recommended amounts for most people. On it’s own, vitamin C can be tolerated in large doses, without imposing any harmful effects. You can take around 500 mg of it twice a day, and ensure that your heart remains healthy.

To be on the safe side, you should always make sure that you get the proper amount of vitamins in your daily diet. Taking additional vitamins and supplements isn’t a bad idea either, especially if you are trying to boost the health of your heart. Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, which is why you should always take care of it. If you eat the proper diet and take the necessary vitamins - you’ll be well on your way to keeping your heart healthy.

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Vitamins That Help With Hair Growth

2011-04-30T20:42:00.000+07:00

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>Loss of hair, or baldness, is the result of not having enough vitamin B supplements. Vitamin B is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. Vitamin B6 is another important vitamin, containing nutrients such as sulfur, biotin, magnesium, and zinc. Without these vitamins, your body won’t be able to grow hair as much, which commonly results in balding or hair loss as we get older.

What many people fail to realize, is the importance of vitamin B. Research has shown in the past that vitamin B is very important to hair growth. Men who consume foods that are rich in vitamin B are less likely to experience hair loss. Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and also one that enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair.

Vitamin A is also important with hair growth. To get the proper amount of vitamin A, you should consume fatty acids. Some examples include flaxseed oil, primrose, and salmon oil. If you consume these types of fatty acids, you’ll get the right amount of vitamin A that is needed to enhance the growth of your hair. If you are worried about hair loss, you should make sure that you are getting enough vitamin A and vitamin B.

Vitamin E is also important for hair growth, as it stimulates your intake of oxygen and helps to improve your blood circulation as well. If your blood is circulating properly, then the growth of your hair will be enhanced. The proper circulation of blood is very important with hair growth, as the blood is what helps your hair to grow, and the necessary vitamins to flow through your body.

Another necessary vitamin for hair growth is biotin. You can find this essential source in rice, green peas, soybeans, oats, yeast, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. It is also found with some types of shampoos as well. If you are using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll be getting into your root tips faster, which will help to promote the growth of your hair. Even though you may be using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll still need to take the necessary vitamins and supplements as well.

Before you take any vitamins or supplements, you should always consult with your doctor and get his opinion. There may be some vitamins and supplements that you shouldn’t be taking, which is why you should always consult with your doctor before you make any decision. Your doctor will be able to run tests and go through your history with you, letting you know what you can and can’t take. This way, you can choose your vitamin supplements accordingly – and know without a doubt that there will be no long term side effects or problems.

Zinc Supplements For Your Body

2011-04-30T18:12:00.000+07:00

Zinc supplements provide a much needed mineral that is needed by each and every cell in your body. The body is unable to produce zinc on it’s own, which is why we need to makes sure we eat enough food that contains the mineral, drink enough water, or use the proper supplements that will give our cells the zinc they need.

Zinc is very important, as it plays a crucial role with hundreds of processes in the human body. The most prominent functions include support of the immune system, joints, tissues, along with aiding in cell growth. Zinc supplements have also been proven to eliminate sexual dysfunction, boost sexual function, aid in the health of the hair, and help with skin wound healing.

No matter how you look at it, zinc plays an important role in the function of most of our senses, which includes the ability to taste, smell, and also sight. Research has indicated that zinc can counter vision loss in the event of macular degeneration. A deficiency of zinc on the other hand can lead to dulling of the taste buds, along with the ability to detect scent.

Although zinc is an essential vitamin for our bodies, taking too much of it can be a bad thing. Research has proven that taking more than 100 mg daily for an extended period can cause damage in the immune system. Older folks on the other hand, can benefit from taking zinc if they have a deficiency. The supplement can actually help older people bring their intake back up to the levels they should be at.

When taking zinc supplements, you should always remember that zinc can indeed interfere with your absorption of copper. For this reason, a lot of experts recommend that they should be taken together. Anyone who takes a zinc supplement should take it as part of a well balanced diet, to ensure that other vitamins and minerals work together with the zinc.

With most dietary supplements in the U.S. being unregulated, you should always choose a manufacturer who is GMP compliant. Manufacturers that are GMP compliant will always follow the manufacturing standards of zinc, in order to minimize and quite possibly eliminate the risk of contaminants that you could be getting from the supplement.

If you choose your supplement wisely, you shouldn’t have to worry about any problems. You can buy zinc supplements at GNC, online, or other nutrition stores. It isn’t expensive either, which makes it a welcome edition to your diet. You should always consult with your doctor if you suspect that you have a zinc deficiency, so that he or she can tell you exactly how much zinc you need on a daily basis. This way, if you aren’t getting enough in your normal diet - you can get the supplements you need.

Save Yourself From Lung Cancer!

2011-04-30T09:35:00.000+07:00

Lung cancer is a very serious form of cancer. This is lethal especially when the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs has already spread to the other organs in the body.

Cancerous cells can break down and can spread in other parts of the body by forming secondary tumor sites, which makes it more fatal.

When the tumor is already on its advanced stage, managing it is somewhat harder. It may help to know that early detection of lung cancer is best to ensure the possibility of putting the lung cancer into remission.

If early detection of lung cancer did not happen, diagnosis in the advanced stage may be harder and managing the symptoms may likewise be too difficult.

Lung cancer treatment is greatly dependent on the severity of the disease. Knowing which type of lung cancer you are suffering from may help in the management of the disease.

There are two types of lung cancer, the small cell lung cancer and the non-small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer or oat cell lung cancer comprises the twenty to twenty-five percent of all lung cancer cases. The major cause of small cell lung cancer is cigarette smoking.

Commonly, because lung cancer symptoms do not manifest in the early stage of the disease, treating it will be a big problem especially when detection happens when cancer metastases or secondary cancer cells already developed in the other organs of the body.

Non-small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, involves several kinds of lung cancers. The differentiation of these kinds of non-small cell lung cancer depends on the type of cells affected.

Three common types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

These forms of non-small cell lung cancer tend to grow and spread slower than the small cell lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common non-small cell lung cancer. This non-small cell lung cancer starts in the large bronchi and stay confined to the chest longer than other lung cancers do, because of this, the cancer do not spread as rapidly than the other types.

Adenocarcinoma, the primary cause of this non-small cell lung cancer is still a challenge to medical experts. Thus, experts continue to study the major cause of this cancer. Even with this pending study, cigarette smoking and breathing impure air is still being considered as major participant in the development of lung cancer.

Doctors believe that the tumor in this type of lung cancer is in the outer edges of the lungs and under the lining of the bronchi. The progression of this non-small cell lung cancer is average but survival odds remain on the 10% mark.

Adenocarcinoma constitutes thirty to thirty-five percent of all lung cancer cases in America.

Large cell lung cancer is another non-small cell lung cancer. The tumor in this type of lung cancer is on the smaller bronchi. Fifteen percent of lung cancer cases are large cell lung cancers.

Among all non-small cell lung cancers, this type of lung cancer progresses faster, almost to the level of small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer cases account for the fourteen percent of all cancer cases in the United States. At worst, twenty-eight percent of all death among cancer patients are lung cancer cases.

To avoid being part of the statistics on lung cancer, ensure you will not acquire small cell lung cancer or even the slower non-small cell lung cancer by living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding exposure to impure air including cigarette smoke will help strengthen your immune system and this will avoid acquiring the deadly disease.

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Understanding The Viciousness of Lung Cancer

2011-04-30T06:56:00.000+07:00

Lung cancer is the result of malignant cells forming in the tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining the air passages. The cells in our bodies are constantly dividing and reproducing. Usually, there's an orderly pattern to this reproduction as cells develop and specialize to meet particular needs. Occasionally, however, a cell becomes damaged. There's a mutation in its DNA, and rather than maturing and dying as is normal, it continues to reproduce unchecked. In essence, this is cancer - uncontrolled reproduction and growth of abnormal cells in the body.

Most lung cancers are believed to start in the epithelial lining of the lungs - the linings of the large and small airways that perform the task of extracting oxygen from the air. Because of this, lung cancer is sometimes called bronchogenic carcinoma - cancer arising from the bronchia. A smaller percentage of lung cancers begin in the pleura - the thin tissue sac that surrounds the lungs. These cancers are called mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure.

Cancer of the lungs is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. While it may take a period of years to develop, the cancer often goes undetected until late in the process. In addition, it tends to metastasize (migrate to other parts of the body) early, which leaves fewer opportunities to fight the mutated cells with surgery or radiation. Once the lung cancer does metastasize, it quickly spreads to the most vulnerable and important organs of the body, particularly the adrenal glands, the liver, the brain and the bones.

There are two primary forms of lung cancer - Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Small Cell Lung Cancer is less common, though far more deadly. It's directly linked to cigarette smoking - less than 1% of SCLC is diagnosed in non-smokers. It's also extremely aggressive and fast-moving, metastasizing rapidly to other organs, and often undiscovered until it's already widespread.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, on the other hand, is far more common, accounting for nearly 80% of all diagnosed lung cancers. There are three main types of non-small cell lung cancer, generally characterized by the size, shape, and chemical composition of the cells that form the cancer:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also referred to as Epidermoid Carcinoma): accounts for around 25% - 30% of all lung cancers, and is associated with a history of smoking. This cancer is nearly always found in the central chest area, near the bronchus.

Adenocarcinoma (also referred to as Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma): accounts for around 40% of all lung cancers, and is found in the external region of the lung. Treatment for this form of lung cancer often leads to a more successful outcome than that of other lung cancers.

Large-Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma: accounting for only 10% - 15% of lung cancers, this form may show up in any area of the lung. It tends to spread quickly, and often results in a poor prognosis.

It's also possible for lung cancer to be a combination of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer types.

There are other, less common types of lung cancer. For instance, bronchial carcinoids are small tumors often found in people under 40 years of age. They tend to grow slowly, and be amenable to treatment. Carcinoid tumors account for approximately 5% of lung tumors. Some are non-cancerous. The others are generally slow-growing and can be successfully treated with surgery.

Finally, some cancers discovered in the lungs aren't lung cancers at all. Since the lungs are prone to metastatic cancers from other sites, it's not uncommon for tumors from other primary cancers to find their way to the lungs. When this occurs, the tumors are often discovered in the peripheral tissues of the lungs rather than in the central tissues.

Please note that the information provided in this article is for information purposes only. It should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of lung cancer. Such situations should always involve the expertise of a physician or health care provider.

David Silva is the webmaster for Lung Cancer Insights, a site dedicated to the dissemination of information about lung cancer, mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, and their treatments.

The Lung Cancer Epidemic

2011-04-30T05:46:00.000+07:00

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the American population and the western world. Lung cancer use to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in American men only, but since 1988, women have caught up with men and since then lung cancer is leading cause of cancer deaths in women as well. Well over 170,000 cases of lung cancers are diagnosed in the United States each year. Very few fortunate ones get cured from this miserable disease. About 157,000 people die as the direct result of lung cancer.

The mortality related to lung cancer exceeds the combined mortality rates of second (breast cancer), third (prostate cancer), and fourth (colon cancer) leading causes of cancer death. How would we react if every day a Boing 747 crashes and all the passengers die? That's what happens with lung cancer. About 430 people die every day from lung cancer.

Despite the high rates of cancer deaths, lung cancer receives much less attention compared to other cancers, especially breast cancer. Lung cancer research receives much less funding, and general public takes much less interest in lung cancer. Even though lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women, very little research and scientific progress occurs in the field of lung cancer.

It is estimated that about $1,723 per cancer deaths is spent on lung cancer research where as the corresponding figures for breast cancer ($13,953), prostate cancer ($10,318) and colorectal cancer (4,618) are much higher. It is interesting to note that the department of defense funds breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer but not lung cancer.

Part of the problem associated with lung cancer research funding is the fact that, there are not many lung cancer survivors to lobby for the cause of lung cancer. High mortality rates associated with lung cancer leaves very few survivors to fight for their cause, and even those fortunate survivors are not in very good health, since most of these survivors are patients who had undergone extensive lung resection.

There is also a stigma associated with lung cancer. Unlike many other types of cancers risk of lung cancer is very much linked with smoking. Many who deal with lung cancer patients and the patient himself think that the disease is the direct result of misbehavior. This fills a feeling of guilt on the lung cancer patients who tend to blame themselves. Also this acts against any fund-raising program aimed at lung cancer where people unconsciously feel that lung cancer is a disease that these patients brought on themselves.

More funding and research are urgently needed for lung cancer. We all have to join our hands to fight this miserable enemy of the human species.

Scott William is the webmaster for Medicineworld.org a site dedicated to medical information. For more information and for Symptoms and signs of lung cancer please visit author's website.

Lung Cancer - Are Women More Preoccupied About Breast Cancer?

2011-04-30T01:56:00.000+07:00

Lung cancer is among the most common cancers in the Western world. Lung cancer occurs due to the growth of malignant or abnormal cells in the lung. It is the third most common cancer in males and the fifth in females. Yet lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman's problem. The risk for dying of lung cancer is 20 times higher among women who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day than among women who do not smoke at all. Lung cancer is a cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. It can be very difficult to detect at an early stage because the symptoms often do not appear until the disease is far advanced.

Health experts say more needs to be done to educate women about the risk of lung cancer. Bearing in mind that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, studies show that since 1987, more women have died each year of lung cancer than from breast cancer. Researchers have found that women who had one or more children had nearly a 40 percent lower risk of contracting lung cancer compared to women without children. Recently, research has suggested that women who don't smoke are two to three times more likely than non-smoking men to develop lung cancer. In women, the three types of cancer most commonly seen are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women (behind lung cancer), and the most common cancer in women.

Lung cancer kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, primarily because by the time it is detected, lung cancer is usually in an advanced stage. Also when cancer spreads to the lung from the breast, the resulting cells are breast cancer cells, not lung cancer cells. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer, yet surveys have shown that women are more worried about getting breast cancer than lung cancer. Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, accounting for more than 400000 deaths per year.

Today there are many treatment options available to lung cancer patients. The type of treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific type, how far it has actually spread, and the patient's status. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. Treatment for a secondary lung cancer depends on the primary cancer. However, new anti-cancer drugs, improved staging and imaging techniques, combined with new surgical procedures have all contributed to dealing with the disease. Finding early-stage lung cancers is crucial in the treatment results for lung cancer. While having treatment for any stage of lung cancer, you will be able to manage some side effects that may accompany lung cancer or any cancer treatment.

Summary:

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung. We already know that the best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit or never start to smoke in the first place. Small cell lung cancer is a bit more common in men than women. But lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman's problem. The links between your smoking history and lung cancer is clear. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. It is the most deadly of cancers worldwide, resulting in up to 3 million deaths annually.

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Lung Cancer - Classification, Stages, Symptoms, Causes, Effects, Prevention, Detection and Treatment

2011-04-29T21:40:00.000+07:00

Lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled rapid growth of cells in tissues. This type of cancer is most common and results in more than a million deaths every year. This form of cancer is indicated by weight loss or coughing up blood or regularly going out of breath. It can be noticed on chest radio graph also called CT Scan. The treatment that one gets depends on the stage that one is in. Treatment of cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

CLASSIFICATION

Lung cancers are classified after studying under them microscope. Classification is necessary as different type of cancer is treated differently. Large portion of lung cancer are carcinomas - malignancies that grow from epithelial cells. Lung-carcinomas are categorized into two types: non -small and small-cell lung carcinoma. Non-small cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma account for 80. 4% and 16. 8% frequency of lung cancer, respectively.

1. NON -SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

The non -small cell lung carcinomas are grouped together as their prognosis and management are same up to some extent. They are further classified into three types: squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell lung carcinoma. Squamous cell lung cancer originates near a central bronchus. They account for 25% of lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma starts in peripheral lung tissue. The cases of adenocarcinoma are a result of smoking. They accounts to 40% of non -small cell lung cancers.

2. SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

This type of lung cancer is rare. It is sometimes referred to as "oat cell" carcinoma. Most of the times they originate from larger airways (primary and secondary bronchi ) and from there they grow at a rapid pace. This type of lung cancer if mostly associated with smoking.

SECONDARY CANCERS

These cancers are classified on the basis of site of origin like breast cancer but has spread to the lung. Majority of the lung cancers in children are secondary.

STAGING OF LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer staging is used to asses the degree of spread of the cancer from its place of origin. It is an important factor that determines the potential treatment of lung cancer. The degree starts from 1A to 4, 1A being best prognosis and 4 being worst.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Following are the symptoms of lung cancer: 1. Voice becoming hoarse. 2. Sudden loss of weight. 3. Feeling pain in chest region or abdomen. 4. Difficulty in swallowing. 5. Loss of appetite. 6. Running out of breath. Many of the symptoms mentioned above are non -specific. By the time they notice symptoms or signs, cancer has already spread from place of origin. Very few people with this cancer have signs at time of diagnosis, these cancers are noticed on routine chest radio graph.

CAUSES

The three main causes of cancer are: carcinogens (which is found in tobacco ), viral infection and ionizing radiation. If exposed, it causes changes to DNA in tissue lining the bronchi of the lungs. With more and more tissues getting damaged, cancer develops.

1. SMOKING

Smoking is the main cause of cancer. In one cigarette, there are 60 different known types of carcinogens like radioisotopes and nitrosamine. Smoking is believed to cause 80% of these type of cases. The risk is generally less in non -smokers. The time that a person smokes proportionately increases the chances of this cancer. There has been cases that if a person stops smoking, the damaged cells gradually gets repaired. In non-smokers, passive smoking is the main causes of lung-cancer. Passive smoking is one inhaled from another person smoking.

2. RADON GAS

The gas produced from breakdown of radium. This gas is colourless and odorless. Exposure to radiation ionize the genetic material, causing mutations that sometimes turn cancerous. Exposure to radon gas is the second major cause of lung-cancer after smoking.

3. ASBESTOS

Asbestos is responsible for causing a number of cancer, one among them is lung cancer. In UK, asbestos accounts for 2 to 3% of the total cases of this cancer.

4. VIRUS

Viruses are responsible for causing lung-cancer in animals. And research has shown of similar potential in humans.

5. PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulate matter has a direct link to lung cancer cases. The size and quantity of particles in air determines the risk of getting lung-cancer. If concentration of particles increases beyond 1%, then the chances of getting this increases by 14%.

PATHOGENESIS

Just like may other cancer forms, lung cancer is started by activation of ocnogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressing genes. Ocnogenes are those genes that make people more vulnerable to cancer. Ocnogenes are produced from proto-ocnogenes, when the latter is exposed to particular carcinogens. In k-ras proto-oncogene, mutations takes place which are responsible for 10 to 30% of lung adenocarcinomas. Tumor invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell profileration are regulated by the Epidermal growth factor receptor. Mutations and amplification of EGFR are common in non -small cell lung cancer. The basis for treatment with EGFR-inhibitors are also provided by Mutation and amplification of EGFR. Chromosomal damage can lead to loss of heterozygosity which can result in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Damage to four of these chromosomes:3p, 5q, 13 q and 17 p are common in small cell lung-carcinoma. The p53, which is a tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 17p is affected in most of the cases. c-MET, NKX2-1, LKB1, PIK3A and BRAF are also mutated or amplified. Various genetic polymorphisms are supplementary to this cancer. Some of them include polymorphisms in genes coding for interleukin-1, cytochrome p450, apoptosis promoters such as caspase-8, and XRCC1, which is DNA repair molecule. People having these polymorphisms are more likely to develop lung cancer on being exposed to carcinogens. The research has revealed that MDM2 309G allele is a low-penetrant risk factor for developing this in Asians.

DIAGNOSIS

If a person has reported symptoms that might suggest cancer related to lungs, then chest radio graph is performed in the first step. The test reveals the widening of mediastinium, atelectasis and pleural effusion. Even if there are no radio graphic findings but the hint of this is high because of things like the person being heavy smoker with blood-stained sputum then CT-Scan may provide the necessary data. If findings are unnatural in cells in sputum, then they multiplies the risk of this type of cancer. Early detection can be done by Sputum cytologic examination together with other screening examinations. The differential diagnosis for those patients who show irregularities on chest cardiograph consider cancer related to lungs along with non malignant diseases. These consider infectious reasons like tuberculosis or pneumonia. The above mentioned diseases can lead to lung nodules.

PREVENTION

Prevention, just like always, is better than cure. Steps in this direction have been taken by may countries by identifying carcinogens and banning them but tobacco, which is the major cause of lung cancer, is still common. Eliminating cigarette smoking is first hand target in the prevention of lung cancer. Steps to lessen Passive smoking have also being taken by banning smoking in public places and workplaces. New Zealand has restricted smoking in open places. A similar step is also taken by Chandigarh, India. Bhutan has criminalized smoking since 2005.

SCREENING

Screening is used to detect disease by doing medical tests when the patient is not showing any symptoms. Chest radio graph or computed tomography are the tests used for screening of lung cancer. But, results have shown, that screening tests for lung cancer rarely has shown any benefit.

TREATMENT

The treatment of lung cancer can be done in following ways, depending on the stage or degree of cancer:

1. SURGERY

If doctors have detected lung cancer, then CT scan and positron emission tomography are usually applied to check if the disease is placed and surgery can be done or it has moved to the point where performing surgery is not possible. Surgery can only be performed if spirometry reveals good respiratory reserve, but if it is poor, then surgery is not possible. Even surgery has a death operative rate of 4. 4% but that is because of patient's lung function and other factors.

2. CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy, along with radiation, is used to treat small cell lung carcinoma. Primary chemotherapy is also used in metastatic non -small cell lung carcinoma.

3. RADIOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy, with chemotherapy, is given when patient is not fit to under go surgery. This type of high intensity radiotherapy is called radical radiotherapy. CHART (continuos hyperfractioned accelerated radiotherapy ) is refined version of this technique in which a high dose of radiotherapy is given for a short period of time. When cancer affects a short section of bronchus, then brachytherapy is given.

EPIDEMOLOGY

Lung cancer is the most widely reported cancer. There are 1. 35 million cases every year and 1. 18 million deaths. Lung cancer develop among those who have a history of smoking over a long period of years i. e 50 years and above. In addition to smoking, passive smoking is also a factor that causes lung cancer. Even the emissions from factories, automobiles, power plants pose a threat to human health. Lung cancer is found to have a reciprocal effect with sunlight and UVB exposure. This is due to effect of Vitamin D, produced in skin during exposure to sunlight.

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Signs Of Lung Cancer

2011-04-29T17:37:00.000+07:00

Signs of Lung Cancer, the signs and symptoms to check for. It seems as though today more and more people are having pulmonary problems which can be signs of Lung Cancer.

Let us take a look at the signs of Lung Cancer and it's symptoms; suppose you are having pulmonary problems and you believe that these are the Signs of Lung Cancer, it is a good idea to go to a physician to have tests done, this is the only way of knowing you have lung cancer.

First of all, you may want to know that there are four types of Lung Cancer, these four types of Lung Cancer are: small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer, large cell carcinoma lung cancer and adenocarcinoma lung cancer. All of these four are most likely linked to smoking or second degree smoke, but it is also known that the Signs of Lung Cancer can have an inherited component to this. There is a research being done, that maybe the signs of Lung Cancer can be linked to diet, but that is still in the research arena, but some signs of Lung Cancer can be related to diet.

The symptoms and signs of Lung Cancer are difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss and general fatigue, but there are some signs of Lung Cancers that do not have any noticeable symptoms, this is because this type is not in the advance stages yet, this type of Lung Cancer is where it has spread to other parts of the body, and therefore it is hard to see these signs of Lung Cancer.

Sometimes the signs of Lung Cancer can be detected by a simple chest x-ray but sometimes with the signs of Lung Cancer you have to have a test called bronchoscopy, this test is when a thin, flexible tube is inserted down the airways of the throat and this allows the doctors to see the inside of the lungs, sometimes they will take a biopsy to determine if the Lung Cancer has spread, they will have to take other tests depending on the type of Lung Cancer, such as a CT Scan, liver ultrasound or bone scan maybe this will determine if the Lung Cancer has spread to other areas.

Now, depending on the type of Lung Cancer depends on the treatment that is used a drug treatment maybe used for small lung cancers this is called (chemotherapy) this is the usual treatment for the signs of small lung cancer, radiotherapy is therefore used for the other types of Lung Cancer that I had mentioned earlier. Although Lung Cancer is one of the most dangerous Lung Cancers there are, remember there is still a cure and hope (we always have hope) for Lung Cancer or any type of cancer.

In Lung Cancer the drug treatments that I mentioned, cause bruising, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, but the nausea and vomiting can be assisted with other medications and the hair loss? well..the hair will grow back.

If you feel that you may have Lung Cancer and have these symptoms, please see your doctor and get these tests done, Lung Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, and the sooner you find the problem, the sooner you it can be treated.

With Lung Cancer it is impairative that you get help and treated immediately. Lung Cancer can be deadly as we all know so take the tests and if you have Lung Cancer, donut let it beat you. You beat Lung Cancer.

An Overview of Lung Cancer

2011-04-29T16:34:00.000+07:00

General Information on Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, or carcinoma of the lung, is one of the most common forms of cancer today. It is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related mortality in the United States today. In the United States, another form of cancer that is becoming increasingly common is breast cancer, which is the development of malignant tissue in the breast. Breast cancer is seen mostly in women, though this does not mean that men are immune to it. A small percentage of men too contract breast cancer. The numbers are small, 1 man with breast cancer against a 100 women with it, but its there. However, there is one major difference between breast cancer and lung cancer. One can see the symptoms of breast cancer at an early stage, while in the case of lung cancer, the symptoms are not detected early, primarily because they match the symptoms of other lesser ailments. In this article, we will discuss lung cancer.

A person is said to suffer from lung cancer when a growth of malignant cancer cells is detected in the lungs. Depending on the stage at which lung cancer is detected, it can be classified as being in the:

o Early stages

o Mid-stages

o Advanced stages

Today, there is a vast amount of information on lung cancer available. Patients or relatives of patients can access information over the Internet, which has an almost limitless number of websites dedicated to different aspects of lung cancer - types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc. For example, if you are from the United Kingdom and want to research information on lung cancer treatment, facilities, etc in your country, you can simply log onto the website of Cancer Research UK, UK's leading cancer charity, and collect whatever information you want from their site.

Earlier on, treatment of lung cancer was not an easy thing to do, owing to the huge amount of expenses in the form of medical bills, hospital stays fees, etc. However, nowadays with the availability of insurance, things have become easier. Lung cancer insurance is available easily, as is insurance covering other forms of cancer.

Types of Lung Cancer

Two main types of lung cancer exist today. Both of these are seen in the epithelial cells of the lungs. They are:

o Small cell lung cancer (SLCC)

o Non-small cell lung cancer

There is another type, called mixed small cell/large cell lung cancer. In this type you can find both kinds of cells in the cancerous tissue.

Besides these two types, there is another form of cancer of the lung area, called mesothelioma or mesothelioma cancer or cancer of the mesothelium. However, this is not considered a primary form of lung cancer, as its target area is not the lobes of the lung, but the pleural membrane covering the lung.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

This is the rarer of the two basic forms of lung cancer. One out of every five lung cancer patients suffer from small cell lung cancer.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer, or non-small lung cancer, is the more common of the two basic forms of lung cancer. Four out of five lung cancer patients suffer from this type of cancer.

Based on the cell type/area in which the carcinogenic cells proliferate in the lungs, non-small cell lung cancer is further categorized into three types. They are:

o Squamous cell carcinoma

o Adenocarcinoma

o Large Cell Carcinoma

o Bronchioalveolar Carcinoma (BAC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is the most common type of lung cancer. It occurs in the cells lining the airways inside the lungs. This form of cancer occurs mostly due to nicotine ingestion through smoking.

Adenocarcinoma

This form of cancer is seen in the mucus cells within the airways in the lung.

Large Cell Carcinoma

This is also called undifferentiated lung cancer. In large cell carcinoma, the proliferating cells are round and much larger than the cells seen in adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Bronchioalveolar Carcinoma (BAC)

This form of cancer is seen in the bronchioalveolar region of the lung.

What Causes Lung Cancer?

The main cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco. This is primarily through smoking. About 80% of lung cancer patients are smokers. Smokers may be cigarette smokers, cigar smokers, or pipe smokers; it doesn't matter. The risk of contracting lung cancer is equal in all the three cases.

A person may inhale smoke directly. A person can also inhale smoke passively or involuntarily. This smoke is also called secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is of two types:

o Mainstream - This is the smoke exhaled by the smoker, and amounts to more than 50% of all secondhand smoke.

o Sidestream - This is the smoke emanating from the burning end of a cigarette/cigar/pipe/hookah.

Passive smokers too stand a high chance of contracting lung cancer. The chances of passive/secondary smokers contracting lung cancer is 30% higher than people who do not inhale smoke either actively or passively.

However, there have been instances of even total non-smokers suffering from lung cancer. This indicates that smoking is not the only cause for lung cancer. It is the primary cause, yes, but not definitely the only cause. The following are some of the other causes of lung cancer:

o Air pollution

o Inhalation of asbestos fibers

o Exposure to radon, a radioactive substance formed by breaking down uranium

o Inhalation of marijuana fumes by smoking

o Exposure of the chest area to radiation therapy during cancer treatment

o Hereditary reasons

o Presence of arsenic in drinking water

o Diet with low fruit and vegetable content (this increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers)

A combination of exposure to tobacco along with any of these causes greatly increases the chances of a person contracting lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

The following are some of the common symptoms of lung cancer. They do not usually manifest in the early stages. Even if they do, they are usually mistaken for some other ailment. These symptoms are:

o Persistent coughing

o Reddish or muddy brown spit

o Loss of breath

o Loss of appetite

o Persistent or repetitive infections of the bronchial tract

o Hoarseness of voice

o Renewed wheezing

In its later advanced stages, when the lung cancer is said to be in metastasis, the symptoms are:

o Numbness in the arms or legs

o A jaundiced appearance

o Tumorous growths near the skin surface

o Seizures

o Bone pain

o Dizziness

Lung Cancer Detection and Diagnosis

It is very rare to be able to detect lung cancer in its early stages. There are no specific symptoms of early stages of lung cancer. This is one of the reasons why lung cancer is usually detected in its later stages.

The use of a proper screening technique would greatly increase the chances of early lung cancer detection. However, there is no such proper and totally effective screening technique yet. Research is on to see if one can be formulated soon. As of now, a new technique called spiral CT seems to be the best option for early detection.

Once lung cancer is detected, the next step is to determine the stage it is in. This is done using the AJCC system. Roman numerals are used to mark the different stages of lung cancer, numerals from 0 to IV. Sometimes the stages are further divided into substages, using denotations A and B. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the denomination, the less serious the condition.

Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer treatment options are usually the same as prostate cancer treatment options or colon cancer treatment options. What I mean is that all forms of cancer have the same treatment options. However, lung cancer tests may be different from colon cancer tests. The standard treatment options for lung cancer are:

o Surgery

o Radiation Therapy

o Chemotherapy

What matters is the combination of methods being used. The more serious the cancer, the more chances that different treatment options will be used in tandem, or one after the other.

References

o http://www.aacr.org

o http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal

o http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung/General/Typesoflungcancer

o http://www.cancer.org

o http://www.lungcanceronline.org

The writer does freelance writing work. Primary areas are keyword-rich articles (especially in healthcare, insurance, credit), creative writing, blogposts, etc.

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Your Body And Antioxidant Foods

2011-04-29T13:02:00.000+07:00

> >Even though a lot of people don’t actually realize it, a lot of antioxidant foods that we consume are from vegetables. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and peppers are all excellent choices with some great benefits for your body. When consuming vegetables, you should always go for those that are rich in color, as they are high in what is known as phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients are nutrients found in the skins of several fruits and vegetables, which give the food color as well as flavor and scent. Phytonutrients are quite simply the best types of antioxidant foods that you can find anywhere. If you are looking for a supplement value, the coq10 offers you a high level of antioxidant value.
Although fruits and vegetables are the best sources for antioxidants, the problem with them is that they are produced by the use of chemical herbicides, pesticides, and different types of fertilizers. Over the years, studies have shown that fruits and vegetables which are organically grown are high in antioxidants, and boast a much higher concentration than those that have been produced commercially.
In the busy world of today, it can be very tough to eat like we should, nor can we eat organic fruits and vegetables all the time. If you can’t or don’t have access to organic fruits or other sources of antioxidant foods, you should look into nutritional supplements that offer you the phytonutrients you need in your diet.
Supplements that contain phytonutrients do have advantages when compared to certain fruits, such as carrots - which can elevate your blood sugar level to a very high level. Phytonutrients found in supplements are the extract of pigments where nutrients are concentrated, meaning that they draw the best from antioxidant foods, leaving the calories and sugar behind.
Don’t get the wrong idea here, fruits and vegetables are indeed good for you. They are high in antioxidants, although those that are produced commercially generally come with chemicals and such that aren’t so good for you. Canned fruits and vegetables come with high levels of sugars and calories, which antioxidant supplements don’t have. The supplements offer you the levels you need, without any chemicals, sugars, or calories. This way, you don’t have to worry about consuming anything that isn’t good for you.
No matter how you look at it, healthy eating for your body starts and end with foods that contain antioxidants. There are several types of foods that contain antioxidants, although fruits and vegetables contain the most amounts. Steak and meat are also great sources of antioxidants, along with other great benefits, such as protein. Anytime you can’t get foods that contain antioxidants - you can count on supplements to deliver the amount you need to stay healthy.

Lung Cancer - Symptoms & Treatments

2011-04-29T12:28:00.001+07:00

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out of control cell growth. Lung cancer occurs when this uncontrolled cell growth begins in one or both lungs. The lungs are two large spongy organs located inside the chest cavity. Air is breathed into the trachea and moves down two tubes called bronchi, each going to a lung. Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 who have smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.

Over 1,400 Victorians are diagnosed with every year. Only about 2% of those diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to other areas of the body are alive five years after the diagnosis, although the survival rates are diagnosed at a very early stage are higher with approximately 49% surviving for five years or longer.

There are different types of lung cancer, depending on which cells are affected. The two main types are:

1. Small cell carcinom

Around 15 per cent are small cell carcinomas. This type of cancer spreads early and shows few early symptoms.

2. Non-small cell carcinoma

These cancers affect the cells that line the main bronchi.

Some lung tumors are metastatic from cancers elsewhere in the body. The lungs are a common site for metastasis. Since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early in its course, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body.

Symptoms are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. Lung cancer symptoms may take years before appearing, usually after the disease is in an advanced stage.

Below is the following symptoms of lung cancer include:

1. Pain in the chest shoulder or back from coughing

2. A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time

3. Breathlessness and swallowing

4. Recurring pneumonia or chest infections

5. Wheezing or hoarseness may signal blockage

6. Unexplained weight loss

Lung cancer is categorized into stages according to its spread. This helps the doctors to decide on appropriate treatments. The treatments also depend on the type of cancer, age, health status and additional personal characteristics. As there is usually no single treatment for cancer, patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. More than one type of therapy may be prescribed.

Although the diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If the biopsy confirms lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is non-small cell or small cell.

Small cell lung cancer has two stages which is:

1. In the limited stage, the tumor exists in one lung and in nearby lymph nodes.

2. In the extensive stage, the tumor has infected the other lung as well as other organs in the body.

For non-small cell lung cancer, these stages are labeled from I to IV. The lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less:

1. Stage I is when the tumor is found only in one lung and in no lymph nodes.

2. Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.

3. Stage III is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall and diaphragm on the same side as the infected lung.

4. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.

5. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.

As with most cancers, the results are best if the cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages. However, some lung cancers aren't diagnosed until they are quite advanced. Treatment may then be limited to easing the symptoms. Treatment decisions depend on whether SCLC or NSCLC. Treatment options include:

1. Chemotherapy is an anti cancer drugs are given to stop cancer cells from multiplying. This treatment is most effective for small cell carcinoma.

2. Surgery to remove the affected part of the lung or an entire lung. This offers the best chance of cure if the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs.

3. Radiotherapy use of x-rays to target and kill cancer cells. It may be used against some early stage lung cancers and to stop cancer in the lymph nodes from spreading further.

4. Targeted therapy is use of small molecules, often in tablet form that may be used after chemotherapy.

5. Clinical trials is a participation in a clinical trial that investigates the safety and effectiveness of novel drugs may be offered.

Cancers that are closely linked to certain behaviors are the easiest to prevent. If you are a current tobacco user, quitting can still greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. The most important preventive measure you can take is to quit smoking. Many products such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine inhalers have been successfully used to help people trying to quit smoking.

There are common causes of lung cancer:

1. A person who smokes more than one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk 20-25 times greater than someone who has never smoked.

2. Cigar and pipe smoking increases the risk of lung cancer but not as much as smoking cigarettes.

3. Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers.

4. Radon gas is a natural chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. With an estimated 12% deaths attributable to radon gas.

5. Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals

Screening techniques are designed to find cancer at the earliest stage so that the most treatment options are available. This cancer are detected in the late stages of the disease after they have spread and are harder to treat. Possible lung cancer screening tests include analysis of sputum cells, fiberoptic examination of bronchial passages and low-dose spiral CT scans.

Cancer and cancer treatments can make a person feel too tired to exercise. However, studies show that, physical activity can boost the energy levels of a person who has cancer.

Regular exercise improves functioning of the immune system and may increase survival rates in some cases. Aim for five to 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week. But do not exercise without your doctor's knowledge and support because inappropriate exercise may be harmful.

Get more information about cancer here, Treatments For Cancer

2011-04-22T11:16:00.001+07:00

Research your cancer online on credible sites. Researchers are also trying to identify the potential role of exposure to radon and environmental tobacco smoke, i.e. The list of probable risk factors include genetic factors, dietary factors, and the existence of underlying benign types of parenchymal lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive lung disease.

cancer,cancers

2011-04-21T11:10:00.002+07:00

Cancer that begins in the lungs is known as primary lung cancer. Cancer that begins in another part of the body before spreading to the lungs is known as secondary lung cancer. Cancerous tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.

Cancer Monthly is not responsible for the availability or content of these external websites, nor does Cancer Monthly endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at these other websites. Cancers at the top of the lung may grow into the nerves that supply the arm, making the arm painful, numb, and weak. Tumors in this location are often called Pancoas't tumors. Cancer is the development of abnormal cells that grow out of control and form lumps called tumors. There are two types of tumors - benign and malignant.

Cancer patients commonly ask what can be done after a primary tumor has already spread, or metastasized, to other organs. In a number of cases, they learn, little can be done.