Health Blog

Who is at risk and why

2009-03-12T06:12:00.001+07:00

Allergies can develop at any age, possibly even in the womb. They commonly occur in children but may give rise to symptoms for the first time in adulthood. Asthma may persist in adults while nasal allergies tend to decline in old age.

Why, you may ask, are some people "sensitive" to certain allergens while most are not? Why do allergic persons produce more IgE than those who are non-allergic? The major distinguishing factor appears to be heredity. For some time, it has been known that allergic conditions tend to cluster in families. Your own risk of developing allergies is related to your parents' allergy history. If neither parent is allergic, the chance that you will have allergies is about 15%. If one parent is allergic, your risk increases to 30% and if both are allergic, your risk is greater than 60%.

Although you may inherit the tendency to develop allergies, you may never actually have symptoms. You also do not necessarily inherit the same allergies or the same diseases as your parents. It is unclear what determines which substances will trigger a reaction in an allergic person. Additionally, which diseases might develop or how severe the symptoms might be is unknown.

Another major piece of the allergy puzzle is the environment. It is clear that you must have a genetic tendency and be exposed to an allergen in order to develop an allergy. Additionally, the more intense and repetitive the exposure to an allergen and the earlier in life it occurs, the more likely it is that an allergy will develop.

There are other important influences that may conspire to cause allergic conditions. Some of these include smoking, pollution, infection, and hormones.

What are common allergic conditions and their symptoms and signs?

The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Although the various allergic diseases may appear different, they all result from an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances in sensitive people. The following brief descriptions will serve as an overview of common allergic disorders.

Don't Be Afraid of Breast Cancer

2009-02-27T05:42:00.002+07:00

The chances are fifteen to one that you will never get breast cancer. Furthermore, if you do, and have followed the simple precepts, the chances are two out of three that your cancer will be detected in a curable stage, even at the present state of our knowledge—and our knowledge of this disease is increasing all the time.

Is breast cancer common? Emphatically, no! What is common is the fear of breast cancer. It is this fear that keeps many women from helping themselves by having breast examinations or even examining their own breasts. Our fight must be against this fear as well as against breast cancer itself.

It is true that most of us have been exposed to the miseries of breast cancer in close relatives, friends, or acquaintances. It is true that most women develop breast symptoms or even lumps at some time or other. It is true that many women who do develop the disease delay going to a physician until it is too late. But it is also true that only infrequently do such breast symptoms or lumps mean cancer. And it is also true that you can protect yourself by learning what breast cancer is all about and by following a few simple rules.

You must say to yourself: "I will most likely never get breast cancer, but if I do, I want to be in a position to overcome it!" That is the message of this article.

You will learn why women are so afraid of breast cancer, what it is, who will get it, how we find it, and what you can do to protect yourself against it. Read carefully, follow through—and don't be afraid!

We live in a breast-oriented society. To the average woman, her breast is the badge of femininity, an important part of her allurement to charm her male. To the man, the breast is a source of excitement and erotic stimulation. It has become a bridge between male and female and is used as a reward to be flaunted before the eyes of the male in the female's attempt to attract him. This emphasis on the breast as a sex symbol begins in adolescence and apparently persists throughout life.

The problem of breast cancer is a double one: the cancer itself and, perhaps equally important, the fact that the breast is involved. Of course, the most dreadful of all diseases to a woman is breast cancer. The specter of this disease hovers like a black cloud over all her thoughts and hopes. For many years, breast cancer wasn't even mentioned in news media, as though it were a stigma. The word "breast," referring to that important part of the female anatomy which we have all been intimately acquainted with from the time of birth, seemed to be taboo. A conspiracy of silence seemed to surround this remarkable feminine structure as though its existence were a myth. In recent years, thanks to efforts on the part of forward-seeing women and physicians, especially of the American Cancer Society, the women of our society have become increasingly aware of the importance of the breast in the health of a woman, and the need for constant vigilance against the possibility of trouble.

Consider the following typical incidents, which occurred in one day in the life of a physician interested in breast conditions:

"I'm a schoolteacher in a supervisory position," said an attractive 45-year-old woman. "I first noticed this lump in my left breast two and a half years ago. At first, I thought it would just go away. It didn't hurt or bother me in any way. Then as I watched it get bigger and produce changes in the skin, I thought it was probably serious. I felt strongly about breast surgery and the fear of losing my breast. I simply couldn't bring myself to see a physician. I even wear a bra at night to hide the condition from my husband."

Mrs. Hammer was shifting uneasily in her chair. "Tell him, Gayle. You tell him about the lump." Gayle was obviously distraught and couldn't manage to communicate. Finally she blurted out: "I've got this small lump in my left breast. I know it's nothing. Do you think I may have to lose my breast?"

My secretary was buzzing frantically. "Mrs. Weil out here is so nervous I think her teeth are chattering. She whispers something about a lump in her breast and she's really frightened. Please see her soon."

"Sit right here and talk to me," I said to the 42-year-old woman. "Why are you so hesitant?" "Doctor," she began, "I know I'm cystic. Three doctors have told me that I have what sounds like cystic mastitis. It sounds terrible to me. I feel I have a serious disease that is progressing and will lead to my losing a breast. What can I do to prevent this happening?"

Mrs. K. lowered her eyes, clasped her hands, and began shyly. "My husband likes to manipulate my breasts as part of our love-making. Sometimes he's rather vigorous and once my breast was black and blue. I've heard that an injury can lead to cancer. Is that true? I've been worrying about our relationship."

The common thread in all these episodes is the tremendous preoccupation with the female breast that has been developing in the past thirty years. The interest has been accelerating in recent years. Billboards, movie marquees, newspaper ads, and magazine photos all stress the female breast as the sex symbol of our age. A successful movie must show a closeup of a woman's breast with the hero looking at it admiringly. Topless waitresses, dancers, and actresses have become a hallmark of our society. The younger female is being stampeded into a bra-less generation. Designers vie with each other in attempting to emphasize the bosom with low-cut or transparent blouses. All this is a far cry from the situation fifty years ago, when young developing breasts were strapped and tightened with viselike brassieres, in an attempt to hide this womanly attribute from the predatory male's gaze.

This elevation of the female breast as an important sex attribute has brought with it a greater apprehension and anxiety about breast conditions. All women from early childhood have heard gruesome stories about serious breast diseases that led to all types of surgery. And the totally erroneous idea has been spreading among many women that the loss of a breast is equivalent to loss of sexual attraction or prowess or both. In short, a pathological national anxiety bordering on hysteria has come into existence in regard to the breast. Is it any wonder, then, that concern about breast diseases has reached alarming proportions and that a small, non-tender lump or a pain or a discharge can produce a state of abject terror?

Unfortunately, it is true that breast cancer is a dangerous, troublesome, worrisome disease today. For instance:

* Every seven minutes, breast cancer is diagnosed in the United States and every fifteen minutes a woman dies of the disease.
* One of every four cancers in women is in the breast, so that this organ is the most common of all cancer sites.
* Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women aged 40 to 45.
* The chances of developing the disease increase throughout a woman's life, and the rate of development is about ten times greater at 70 than it is at 40.
* We have really made no progress in this disease since 1930, so far as saving lives is concerned. Even today, one third of patients with breast cancer are inoperable when first seen. Of the remainder, only one third are alive and well ten years later. In other words, despite all our surgical, radiotherapeutic, and chemotherapeutic techniques, we are probably curing only about 25 percent of women who present themselves to their physicians with this disease—and all because most breast cancer seen by the medical community is late cancer.

Add to this information the fact that even in the most expert hands three of every four breast operations show a benign condition. If it were known definitely that no cancer was present, the operation, called a biopsy, would not need to be done. It is, of course, proper that such a look-see" procedure be carried out to make sure that cancer is not present, but the fact remains that the operation generates apprehension and concern. In some institutions where the clinician's expertise may be less or his own anxiety greater, nine out of ten operations fall into this benign category. The sum of it all is that, although only one woman out of fifteen develops breast cancer, it is also true that one in two or three develops a condition warranting an operation, with all the concern it brings. Most women are then conditioned and concerned about their breasts for the rest of their lives, awaiting and often expecting the worst.

But the sun is beginning to show through the dark clouds, and a brighter tomorrow is beginning to dawn. The new hope is based on the following information:

It has long been known that if at the time of a breast cancer operation the local glands in the armpit (the axillary lymph nodes) are free of disease, meaning that the cancer is localized or confined to the breast, better than four out of five such women will be alive and well five years later. If, however, the glands are involved, only one out of two will remain well. Since cancer is a progressive disease that grows and usually spreads to the neighboring glands or through the bloodstream, it seems obvious that in order to improve the present situation, we must find breast cancers when they are still confined to the breast, before they have spread. We must engage in what is called earlier detection.

This concept is not new—it has been with us for many years. It has been the cornerstone of a major educational program of the American Cancer Society. It has been the reason for the ongoing campaign of that society for breast self-examination—to watch for the warning signals of cancer, such as a lump. But, unfortunately, the campaign has had slow success. Educational drives and prodding physicians to teach breast self-examination have not caused the death rate from breast cancer to decline. Over the years, some medical prophets of doom have felt that the fate of a woman who develops a breast cancer is sealed at the time of the appearance of the growth—that the outcome of the disease depends solely on the virulence of the cancer and the resistance of the woman's body. They have indicated that earlier detection was merely a way of finding the condition earlier, thus producing an apparent improvement equal to the period of earlier detection, but that the end result was the same.

What was needed in this controversy was proof—statistical proof—that earlier detection of breast cancer could indeed result in saving more lives, and not merely lead to increased survival from the time of diagnosis. The bright star on the horizon today is that such evidence is now at hand. How this evidence was obtained is an exciting story which we will go into subsequently. Suffice it to say here that in more than five years of follow-up of two large matched groups of women it has been statistically proved that a reduction of more than one third in the mortality rate was achieved in the group that received special examinations as compared with the group that did not. A method is today available that can save the lives of more than 10,000 of the 32,000 women who now die every year of breast cancer in the United States.

Another hope is also becoming apparent. Many surgeons in various areas of the United States and abroad feel that in those cancers found in the early stages—when small and localized in the breast—lesser surgery can achieve results as good as the more extensive kind needed for more advanced disease.

One of the dilemmas of breast cancer involves detection. We know that the earlier we find the disease the better are our results. We also pride ourselves as physicians that our training and knowledge permit us to diagnose medical conditions more easily and even before our patients discover them. Yet it is common knowledge that well over 90 percent of breast cancer is detected by the woman and not by her physician. Why do we rely on the woman to become aware of a condition that is curable in its early stages?

Physicians are trained to treat disease. They spend many hard years learning the intricacies of the normal structure and function of the human body and the abnormal changes we call disease. They learn to recognize the abnormalities and apply the appropriate treatment. Over the years there has been an increasing awareness of the value of the old Chinese concept that the worth of a physician can be measured more by his ability to keep you well than by his ability to make you whole—that much pain and suffering could be avoided if body derangements were detected in the earliest stages, when less drastic measures would be needed for correction.

This concept has reached its acme in "screening" for disease. This means setting up standards, like sieves, checking people to see how they measure up, and sifting out those with abnormalities. Of course, it also means getting people to accept the concept and to present themselves before a derangement makes itself known—before symptoms or signs of disease are present. It also means a heightened awareness on the part of the physician of the earliest signs of disease and a dedication to be willing to screen many people to find disease in only a few. It means a new orientation on the part of one who has been trained to treat disease when it exists. It also means that a physician must say to himself: "Examining many well people can be boring and hardly satisfying. However, the thought that every once in a while I'll find unsuspected disease at a stage when it is curable and thus perhaps save a life makes the whole business worthwhile." Fortunately, breast cancer falls into such a category.

The new day that is dawning in breast cancer thus means saving of lives and perhaps less radical surgical procedures for very-early cancers. Someday the medical profession will be able to offer our girl babies the promise of immunity from breast cancer. Someday we may have the magic remedy that will cure the disease wherever it may have spread in the body and at whatever stage it may be. Until that time, let us use the remedies at hand that can perhaps save most of the women who become afflicted with this disease.

10 Things That Helped Me Lose Weight

2009-02-26T05:25:00.001+07:00

Someone recently asked me what were the most important things I learned about losing weight during the time I lost 48lbs (22kg). In response I came up with 10 things that I felt were crucial to my success and could help anyone, no matter which diet they chose to follow...

1. Lose weight slowly (1 or 2 lbs per week). Any more than this can cause you to have a "haggard" look when you have reached your ideal weight (Because of the elastic nature of your skin). Losing too much too quickly can also cause you serious health problems.

2. Consistency. Your weight and general health will reflect what you do and eat most of the time.

3. Exercise burns fat quickly and gives you energy. There seem to be many different opinions about whether you need to exercise to lose weight or just change your diet. I believe you need to do both for many reasons and the main two for me are: Number one, it makes you feel great! and number two, it allows to cheat more than you would be able to if you didn't exercise (think chocolate covered energy bars!)

4. Muscle building. I don't mean body building. Your muscles use energy all day so the bigger they are the more energy they need and the less energy gets stored as fat. Just doing small amounts of weight training can make a big difference (especially for women).

5. Metabolic rate. Raising your metabolic rate will use energy which either burns fat or stops fat being stored. Exercise will raise you metabolic rate and so will spicy foods. For instance, I have found adding mustard to food helps me.

6. Planning. Plan what you are going to eat at least a week in advance. This makes sure you stick to the diet and don't accidentally eat the wrong thing. If you find it difficult to plan or just don't have the time try using an online service. You can find more information about these services from my website: www.fish4diets.com

7. Eat regularly and often. Always have breakfast, lunch and dinner - every day. If possible eat 5 times a day, a small snack between breakfast and lunch and another one between lunch and dinner. Each time you eat you raise your metabolic rate - see number 5.

8. Some food should not be mixed. Mix meat and/or diary products (such as cheese) with vegetables and never with rice or pasta or potatoes. For example, at parties if you see a buffet only eat the meat and cheese and vegetables or only eat the pasta and rice. Mixing the wrong foods is worse that eating too much.

9. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated all day helps your general fitness and health which is particularly important when exercising regularly and burning fat.

10. Listen to your body. Your body will let you know how it is doing and what it needs. For example, your stomach produces the same chemicals as your brain when reacting to things. The only difference between the two is that your stomach has not learned to doubt itself!

These are the things that helped me and I hope you find something in here to help you to. I am not a doctor and this article is for informational purposes only. You should always consult your doctor for your dietary and health choices.

by mark

Eczema Prevention Tips

2009-02-25T06:29:00.002+07:00

the irritated skin or ignoring treatment can result in oozing or weeping patches, which are prone to infection. The condition is not contagious and may flare up and recede due to a variety of internal and external conditions. Eczema is also called dermatitis and may be a chronic condition.

Eczema in its various forms is extremely common; in the U.S. approximately 20 percent of babies and young children may have symptoms. For a majority of those who suffer from eczema as children, some symptoms will continue when they are adults; it is believed that more than 15 million people in the U.S. have eczema. It is also possible for eczema to have a first onset during adulthood.

Types of eczema and their causes

There are different types of eczema and they are believed to have different causes. Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most prevalent forms of eczema. Atopic eczema is a genetic condition related to other allergic conditions; those with asthma and hay fever may have a higher propensity for atopic eczema. Contact eczema is generally caused by a physical contact with an allergen or irritant. Other types of eczema include nummular eczema which causes crusty or scaly itchy coin-sized spots of irritated skin, seborrheic eczema which is marked by yellowish and oily skin areas on the scalp and face or stasis dermatitis which is an irritation on the skin of the legs and is commonly associated with circulatory problems.

Those with atopic dermatitis tend to be more susceptible to contact eczema; once the skin is irritated, it is more prone to additional damage.

Treatment of eczema

Eczema cannot be cured; however it can generally be controlled. It is often useful, in the cases of atopic eczema and contact dermatitis, to determine what allergens are irritating the skin. While it can be difficult to isolate specific allergens, it can be helpful since the first course of treatment is to avoid the offending substances. In addition, the sufferer should avoid exposure to abrasives including dust and sand, perfumes and cosmetics, soaps and detergents, wool and synthetic fibers and cigarette smoke as these can all exacerbate the condition.

A doctor can prescribe medicine for treating eczema. In treatment the goal is to heal the skin and to prevent flare-ups from recurring. Over-the-counter creams and ointments such as corticosteroid cream can be used to treat mild eczema symptoms, but in some cases these medications can further irritate the sensitive skin. Over the counter and prescription antihistamines are also used to treat the itching. Extreme or long term cases should always be seen by a doctor. Newer medicines called immuno-modulators help control skin inflammation by reducing immune system reactions. If there is any sign of skin infection, it will be treated with antibiotics, which may be taken orally or may be topical.

Eczema can vary widely, so each person's treatment regimen must be custom-tailored to adapt to his or her personal condition and lifestyle.

How You Can Eat Carbohydrates and Still Lose Weight

2009-02-24T09:09:00.000+07:00

When I decided to lose weight I of course decided to do as much planning as possible. It seems the older I get the harder it is to do anything without completely planning it out. Anyways, I had already been on the all protein diets and knew that they worked. The only problem was I could never stick to them for very long...

So I decided to research the net a little more and see if I could find some other program that I had not yet heard about. I noticed something kind of strange, the more I looked around at different weight loss articles.

The two types of people that seemed to be claiming their way of eating was the best, were either vegans or the no carbohydrate eaters. This made sense to me. I mean, I know people who have lost lots of weight eating no carbohydrates. And if you know anyone who is a vegan, you know that they are generally very slim.

So I researched some more and came across some articles on food combining. These people claimed that you can eat whatever you want as long as you combine it properly. You can eat pasta as long as you only eat it with vegetables. Or, you can eat meat as long as you only eat it with vegetables.

This made sense because either way you are going to be eating a lot of vegetables, which nobody would argue, is a good thing. So I started my modified protein vegan style diet.

I went almost a month eating meat and veggies, when my weight loss seemed to plateau. So after that I decided to try a pasta diet, properly combined, for a while. And guess what, I lost some more weight the week I ate the carbohydrates.

A little over a month and I had lost 30 pounds and have kept it off for nine months now. So my question is this.

Do you think the vegans have the answer? Maybe,

Do you think the protein lovers have the answer? Maybe,

Do you think the food combining theory carries some weight?

I would say so. I would say it carries about 30 pounds of weight.

Body detoxification for your health

2009-02-23T04:57:00.003+07:00

Body detoxification plays an important role in determining our health status and prevent most common diseases. Whether we like it or not, toxins in various forms are present all around us and affect every aspect of our lives! They could represent a potentially serious threat to our health if we don’t learn to take precautions.

We cannot escape from inhaling, ingesting and contact with toxins around us.Toxin exposure falls into: Car fumes ; Factory pollutants ; Preservatives ; Pesticides ; Free radicals ; Processed food ; By products of digested medication ; Air we breathe.
Is body detoxification important?

Body detoxification helps reduce the toxins in a body. Thus, there are certain organs clearing out these harmful toxins from the toxins from the body through the organs of elimination like:

* skin
* liver
* kidneys
* respiratory
* gastrointestinal
* urinary
* lymphatic system

The most important method of removing toxins from your body is through elimination of urine and stools. It is very important to have regular bowel movements to prevent the body from re-absorbing the toxic substances. Thus, supplement that contains dietary fiber, precious chlorophyll, phytochemicals and enzymes are utmost essential to prevent constipation and also beneficial for body detovification. Besides that, an abundant intake of fibrous fruit and vegetables are also important to improve body condition and boost up immunce system.

The colon is the body’s first line of defense againts many toxins, bacteria and parasites. It is an important area of waste product removal process. Unfortunately, unhealthy food like western-style diets cause harm to our colon and promote growth of unfriendly bacteria which eventually suppresses the proper food digestion and nutrients absorption.This can result in intestinal toxicity, constipation and malnutrition. As a result, supplementation with friendly bacteria is needed to restore the health of your digestive tract, neutralize harmful substances and suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms in the colon.
How to expel toxins out of our body in order to achieve a healthy skin condition?

If you suffer from acne, or if your skin is dull,rough or tend to develop wrinkles easier, a detox could be exactly what you need. This is because small particles known as free radicals can damage the structure of the skin, leading to collagen degradation. By taking antioxidations nutrients such as vitamin A,C,E and selenium will help neutralizing free radicals to improve skin’s immunity, slow down the aging process, regain a more radiant and healthy skin.

Body detoxification will not only benefits your major elimination organ,the liver.In fact your whole system will be benefited! Thus, we must detoxify our body regularly, not only for temporary, but daily, to prevent over accumulation of toxins in our body and also out of most common diseases.

How to Grow Taller Fast?

2009-02-22T04:19:00.003+07:00

Are you desperate to increase your height? Worry not. You can learn to grow taller fast today. Many believe that they're doomed to live with the height their genetics gave them. You don't have to! There are several ways to make yourself look and stay taller.

Did you know we had more bones when we were infants than we do as adults? This is because when we were babies, much of our bones were made of cartilage. It was only when we started growing that this cartilage began to fuse and harden into solid bone. During puberty, we have cartilage growth plates on the ends of our longer bones. These are what help cause the giant growth spurts we experience.

Many don't realize that a good diet can enhance growth during this vital time. It's very important to eat foods that are rich in protein, calcium, amino acids, and calories. You can find these nutrients in dairy products, red meat, fresh green veggies, and fruit. Calcium in particular is very important for bone health. If you don't see why bone health is important for growing tall, you will once you realize that calcium deficiency, as well as a lack of any vital nutrient, can result in your bones weakening, breaking, and even shrinking, making you even shorter than you were before. However, with a good diet, you can provide your body with the energy it needs to keep you healthy and replenish depleted sources.

Exercise is also very important in how to grow taller fast. While you're growing, regular exercise releases height growth hormones, which help in making you taller. There are some scam sites that claim that, after you've reached adulthood, you can lengthen your bones as if they were taffy by doing special stretches. While this doesn't work, exercise is still very beneficial to your body. By being slender and muscular, it's much easier to look taller, especially when combined with height flattering shoes, clothing, and a short haircut. Exercise also keeps your bones strong.

By keeping a steady diet, you can keep your bones healthy long into old age. Good posture is another way to make yourself seem taller while at the same time preventing many of the complications that arise from poor posture, such as back aches, neck aches, and worse.

15 Tips and Benefits to Get the Best of You

2009-02-20T04:57:00.003+07:00

Exercise, workouts, wellness some of those words are familiar for you.
But how many times have you heard or said these:

* I've no time!
* I live in a hurry every day!
* I'm too busy to exercise!
* I don't know where to start!
* Tomorrow I begin!...often never ;)

No excuse is valid; it isn't necessary to make big trainings or running marathons to have the best health possible…you're a foodie and me too, there're so many temptations..sometimes is a bit tricky.. but certainly you can achieve it :)
With small changes in your home or office you can beat your sedentary lifestyle!

Lets talk clear: foodies prefer to eat than to make exercise ;)…but you know I'm an amateur-personal trainer (for my friends, relatives and occasionally people I don't know…) and some of the no-phrases said before were also in my mouth as a food lover :)

I don't give the example of a friend that we begun to train together various years ago, she was with an overweight of more than 55 pounds (25 kgs).
The nutritionist told her that in 1 year you can download doing exercise and eating healthy…in only in 3 months got a normal weight, she was less tired and guess what.. eating more but in a balance way!

In a series of articles on health, nutrition and sports I'm going to expose some health guides, tips & tricks from a foodie point of view -beginning from less to more- you'll see significant progress, actually you'll be astonished :)
With Regular Physical Activity, Good Hydration & Eating Reasonably You Win:
1.- Prevent heart diseases

2.- Control and improve your blood pressure

3.- Preventing and combating diabetes (potential problem of sweet lovers)

4.- Lose weight - a delicious bonus that always come very good! Practically it's an epidemic disease in the developed world, in both adults and children

5.- Help to fight depression, anxiety, improving your mood (for the natural endorphins, substances secreted by the body during exercise)

6.- Prevent lumbar and lower back injuries; in hands and feet too (typical of runners with potential falls & sprains…I ate some, but with exercise I've minimized them)

7.- Prevention of brain problems (more oxygen in your brain is always good)

8.- Improve your self-esteem and you'll lower your stress also

9.- Improves your sleep

And the list could go on and on!!

If you aren't accustomed to have an exercise plan, you can start adding a little more movement into your daily life:
10.- In the morning or when you can, stretch your muscles.

11.- In buildings why you don't use the stairways instead of the elevator (if you aren’t hurried) for example stop the elevator 1 floor before reaching your destination. Quick and easy…

12.- Walk for 10 minutes at least 3 times a day (Read your favorite food blogs and later walk ;)

13.- When shopping or doing some tasks, park your car a few blocks before your destiny and walk.

14.- If you use public transport, pick it some blocks before or get off a few blocks to your destiny (if the day is nice there is no excuse)

15.- Dance! While you listen music dance, it's an excellent aerobic exercise (if you're at your office take care… unless you're a super dancer ;)

After you've passed certain sedentary habits, I'll be increasing the types and classes of exercises, explain different appropriated healthy foods and useful tips…I assure you from my personal experience, you won't believe it!

Note: Before start to do some "exercise" is a must to get a visit to your doctor! Yes, I'm pretty sure that you already knew it :)

I'm very interested to hear your opinions and comments about this health theme.

How To Maintain Weight Loss Motivation

2009-02-19T06:09:00.000+07:00

One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape, is maintaining the motivation you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Just about anyone will lose some of their enthusiasm, a month or so into a weight loss program. I have learned a few things that keep me motivated and dedicated to achieving my goals. They have helped me tremendously and I think they will help you as well...

Here a just a few of the many things I do to motivate myself.

Weigh yourself once a week:
I weigh myself at least a few times a week. In the beginning of your program once is plenty because you don?t want to discourage yourself. The reason I weigh myself once a week is because it can be easy to look in the mirror and justify, in your head, that you aren?t gaining any weight. If you look at a scale every week, you know for sure whether you need to make changes or not.

Keep a picture of the heavier version of yourself in plain sight:
I have a picture of me at my son?s baptism next to my bed. I was 20-25 pounds heavier in that picture than I currently am. This gives me a chance everyday to see what I don?t want to slip back into. It reminds me why I lost weight and keeps me from sliding back into old habits. Also, it will just remind you of how far you have come and how much better you look now.

Visualize everyday:
You should visualize everyday, how you want yourself to look. If you have achieved your goals then just imagine yourself doing some new things, in your new body. This really does help. I try to visualize myself everyday doing something that I plan on doing in the future. This can help with goals in any aspect of your life. I used to do this while running, when I first started my program. I would picture myself mentally, running and looking the way I wanted to look.

Set your sights farther and higher:

If you have already reached your ideal weight, then you should set some new goals or standards. If you don?t, you will probably fall back into old habits. It is harder to maintain something, then to achieve something new. So if you have reached your ideal weight, then why not set a goal to add some muscle. Or maybe, set a goal to get absolutely ripped. In perfect shape, like you never imagined you could. Look high and far, set your goal and then reach it. Nothing will keep you more motivated then setting and achieving new goals.

Those are just a few of the ways that I use to keep myself motivated. There are thousands more. To find other motivating ideas just do some searching on the internet. You can find thousands of articles and websites dedicated to weight loss and health.

Being healthy and losing weight can change every area of your life. It is amazing, the possibilities we begin to see, after reaching an achievement such as weight loss. Don?t lose the momentum. Keep it turned up and start using it to help you with other areas of your life. But most of all, never give up. There will always be obstacles in any thing you do in life. Just don?t use them as excuses to hold you back from achieving the ultimate freedom you deserve.

What We Know About Breast Cancer

2009-02-18T18:02:00.001+07:00

A prime characteristic of living things is change. Every living cell is in a constant state of flux from the moment of its birth. Thus, every organ of the body is different from one minute to the next, though the difference may be only microscopic.

These changes are produced by chemical messengers from various endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, ovary, adrenals, and thyroid, present in the environment of the cells which determine their nutrition and growth. They affect and modify the "programming" inherent in every cell that is based on the makeup of its genes. This vast, complex mechanism exists solely for the purpose of keeping the living organism in a state of balance with its external environment. A basic mechanism of this sort is present in all living things from the most primitive single-cell amoeba to man himself.

The delicate mechanism of the cell is subjected to constant strain and stress in its perilous journey through life. The outcome of this struggle depends on the power of destructive forces and the strength of the defensive mechanism.

One of the most insidious and mysterious of stresses to which humans as well as other living things are subjected is cancer. The secrets of its cause and how it performs its deadly work still elude us. Much research is being carried on in centers all over the world directed toward solving these mysteries, and it is the profound hope and expectation of all mankind that this work will lead to a complete understanding in the near future. As of this writing, however, all we have are hopes and a few very promising leads.

We can identify a breast-cancer cell under a microscope. An expert can look at a group of cells and determine with an extremely high degree of accuracy whether a cell in question is cancerous or not. This microscopic examination remains our best and most accurate method of making a true diagnosis. It is the basis for the biopsy, at which time some of the tissue in question is subjected to a microscopic examination. Though we do not know how a cancer cell originates, we do know a good deal about its behavior. We know, for instance, that such a cell behaves like a maverick. It no longer follows the rules set for orderly checks and balances. The computer of the cancer cell seems to be newly programmed. Some cancers continue to be controlled by glandular hormones and produce their harmful effects slowly. Others, however, even in the early stages, behave like completely independent operators with no respect for the rest of the organism, grow wildly, and cause quick destruction.

The intricate mechanism that spells the change from a normal cell to a cancer cell is probably the same in all cancers, even though the causes that start the change may be different. The effect, however, varies not only with cancers of different organs, but also with individual cancers of the same organ. A common misconception exists that "cancer is cancer" and that once cancer starts in the body, the individual is doomed. This is far from the truth. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been cured of cancer.

There are broadly two groups of cancers, and we call them "primary" and "secondary." A primary cancer develops from the original cell transformation in an organ such as the breast or bowel or lung. As long as the cancer stays confined to its organ site, the damage it does is local—the part of the organ involved no longer maintains its usual function, but the effect on the rest of the body is only minimal. The great danger of cancer is that secondary cancers may develop. These secondary cancers (or metastases) are due to a spreading of the cancer cells from their original place to another organ where they may succeed in setting up new colonies. It is these secondary cancers that produce the destruction and cause the real damage we associate with the disease.

Some organs, like the breast, are frequently the site of primary cancers and seldom the site of secondary cancers. Some organs, like the liver, are only occasionally the site of a primary cancer, but are often involved with a secondary process. Some organs, like the lungs, are frequently the site of both.

It should be emphasized that an individual who is affected with—and cured of—a primary cancer does not usually develop another primary cancer in some other organ. "Cancer," as a disease, is highly organ-oriented. Thus, primary cancer of the breast is a disease unto itself that has nothing to do with primary cancer of the lung. This all means that if a breast cancer is detected and treated when it is confined to the breast, the woman is most likely cured. Of couse, she must continue to have periodic thorough examinations.

Breast cancer occurs most often after the age of 35. For a period of time which varies with different women, the cancer remains localized in the breast and the body defenses hold the upper hand. As cancer cells leave the main growth to wander from the breast, they are apparently destroyed. After a variable time which may be several years, the protective mechanism becomes deficient and the wandering cells are able to survive and establish new colonies in other organs. These new growths then tend to destroy their new homes and lead to widespread disease. We do not yet know what viruses or hormone disturbances or dietary indiscretions stimulate dormant cancer cells to proliferate. Nor do we know why some cancer cells leave their local site and set off to carry their destructive influences elsewhere. Nor do we clearly know how the defensive mechanism works and why it does well for many years and then seemingly breaks down. Nor do we know why the breast is such a common site of cancer.

What we do know—and what is most important for all women—is that if the cancer is detected in its early clinical stages, which means when it is truly localized to the breast and has not spread even to the local nodes, it is curable in a very high percentage of patients. The woman may then live out her life span as though she had never contracted the disease. In other words, breast cancer is a curable disease—not a fatal one—if it is detected when it is early and minimal.

What does an allergy mean

2009-02-17T06:07:00.003+07:00

An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.

When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."

Austrian pediatrician Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity that was beneficial and to the harmful hypersensitivity as "allergy." The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos," meaning work or action. Allergy roughly refers to an "altered reaction." The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of children who were given repeated shots of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy was proposed to explain this unexpected "changed reactivity."

Allergy Fact

* It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions.
* The cost of allergies in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.
* Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects about 35 million Americans, 6 million of whom are children.
* Asthma affects 15 million Americans, 5 million of whom are children.
* The number of cases of asthma has doubled over the last 20 years.

Diabetes Complications VS High Blood Sugars Levels

2009-02-16T04:59:00.002+07:00

Many health problems are accociated with diabetes complications. This chronic illness can cause high blood sugar levels, which in turn can lead to the damaging of your nerves and your blood vessels. It’s important to know about the risks associated with high blood sugar levels.

Nerve damage is one of the common risks associated with high blood sugar levels. Known as diabetes neuropathy, this is a problem that makes it troublesome for your nerves to send the messages it needs to send to your brain and numerous other parts of your body.

Prolonged nerve damage can cause a lack of feeling and a general numbness of the affected body part. A feeling of tingling that is painful is also possible from nerve damage. Diabetes neuropathy most often affects the legs and the feet of the afflicted. When this occurs, people can sometimes not realize that they have sores on their feet. This can lead to an infection which, if bad enough, may result in a need to amputate the foot.

Diabetes Retinopathy - Damage to the eye
Eye problems are another issue that may be caused by extended diabetic problems. Since high levels of blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels, the blood vessels that are found in the retina are susceptible to damage. When this damage occurs, a condition known clinically as diabetic retinopathy is taking place.

The weak blood vessels may leak fluid, causing a swelling in the eye that may blur the affected person’s vision. The worser retinopathy gets, the more distended the retina becomes from the rest of the eye, which can eventually lead to full blindness. Early detection is the key to containing the problem.

Diabetic Nephropathy - Damage to the Kidneys
Kidney damage may also be caused by a high blood sugar levels. There are blood vessels in the kidneys which can be damaged by diabetes, resulting in an inability for the kidneys to filter out bodily waste.

Known clinically as diabetic nephropathy, this problem can be diagnosed by a detection of protein in your urine. Diabetics are encouraged to go in to a clinic yearly to test for this problem. If diagnosed, health care professionals can give you medications which can help to contain the kidney damage. In advanced cases of nephropathy, a dialysis of the kidneys may be called for regularly.

Heart attack and stroke
One more complication of diabetes is the increased risk of heart attack and stroke that comes with the condition. This risk is increased when the diabetec is overweight, smokes, has high blood pressure levels, or has a family history of heart problems. Early diagnosis of these problem is the key to getting through them, so it is important to check regularly with a doctor to ensure your health.

Lifestyle Change through regular exercise, diet and supplements

You will greatly reduce your risk of developing any of diabetes complacations by controlling your high blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and by eating healthily, and doing regular physical activity. With change your lifestyle also can prevent most common diseases.

What is the most important information I should know about cetirizine?

2009-02-15T06:11:00.004+07:00

Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by cetirizine.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.

What is cetirizine?

Cetirizine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Cetirizine is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose.

Cetirizine is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives).

Cetirizine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cetirizine? You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cetirizine.

Before taking cetirizine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cetirizine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may need to take a lower than normal dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
How should I take cetirizine?

Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take this medication with or without food.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.

Store cetirizine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or nervous, and then feeling drowsy.
What should I avoid while taking cetirizine? Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by cetirizine.

Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.

What are the possible side effects of cetirizine? Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
weakness, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), or sleep problems (insomnia);
severe restless feeling, hyperactivity;
confusion;
problems with vision; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, drowsiness;
tired feeling;
dry mouth;
sore throat, cough;
nausea, constipation; or
headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect cetirizine?

There may be other drugs that can interact with cetirizine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cetirizine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.

Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy.

Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

How to Pick a Nutritional Plan

2009-02-14T05:47:00.000+07:00

When most people think about diet, they focus on weight loss - getting rid of those extra five or ten pounds they've been promising to shed. A booming industry caters to this fascination with weight and appearance, offering scores of books to help people shed weight, improve their sex lives, and look younger; promoting schemes to deliver a thinner you in a matter of weeks; and hawking diet plans based on "magic" foods, "power" foods, fast foods, convenience foods, even liquid foods.

At any given time, 20 million Americans are on a diet of some kind, and another 20 million are convinced they should be. Yet most of them fail to achieve their goals, dropping out because the programs they've chosen are too stringent, concentrate on foods they dislike, or conflict with their lifestyle. Even those who reach their objectives usually slip back, eventually returning to their original eating patterns.

This is not the way it has to be. A diet program needn't be a hardship, doesn't have to include foods you hate, and shouldn't be measured exclusively in terms of pounds lost. Instead, think in terms of your own health and enjoyment. If you simply follow what we know about nutrition today, you can protect your health, find an agreeable style of eating, and maintain a reasonable weight in the bargain.

Most experts, such as New York Times science and medical writer Jane Brody, believe that "unless you have a chronic illness like diabetes, or are genetically prone to heart disease, you need not become an extremist or an acetic, nor do you have to give up everything you love forever."

People adopt diets for two main reasons: 1) to improve their health and prevent serious medical problems or 2) to lose weight. In many cases, the same basic food plan - low fat, moderate protein, high complex carbohydrate - will accomplish both goals. In others, a more specialized program is necessary.

But before you start any new eating program, whether it be for weight loss or health, there are a number of things you should consider. According to Stanley Gershoff, Ph.D., dean of the Tufts University School of Nutrition, you need to ask yourself:

*What is my motivation? For example, if you believe losing weight will improve your love life or assure a job promotion, you're bound to fail. While a diet and fitness program can be a positive motivating factor, losing weight, in itself, does not guarantee your life will change.

*Why have I failed at other diets? Perhaps it was not entirely your fault. You may have tried one of many fad diets that have been proven time and again to be ineffective. By examining your diet history, you may spot a trend. For example, extremely low calorie diets or organized diet plans may not work for you.

*Am I built like other members of my family? Look at your close relatives. No matter how much you diet, you can no more change your genetically-given shape than you can change the color of your eyes.

*Do I have "special health considerations?" Are you at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes? Do you have food allergies? Do you have high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or other medical conditions that might make certain diets harmful to you? Are your medications compatible with the program you're considering? If you do have a medical problem, ask your doctor to help you choose a program.

Sinus Problems

2009-02-13T06:11:00.003+07:00

Don't you hate waking up in the morning to congestion, runny noses, and such? I do too. Most likely it's allergies that are causing this problem. Sometimes, though, it's not. It might get blamed on allergies, but sometimes it's something much closer to home.

Dust and particles floating around your house could be the real culprit.
If you're not keeping your windows thrown wide open all year long, you're house has buildup that can cause particles which irritate your sinuses. These constant barrage of particles and junk floating in the air takes its toll on your sinuses, especially during the deep breathing of sleep.

So how do you prevent this? Home air filters are the easiest way and can be quite effective if used properly. These great little machines will pull air into them, filter out the bad stuff, and emit only clean, breathable air afterwards. They're great!

Not only do they clean the air, purifying it and clearing most of the particles and ugliness out of it, but they also clear a lot of the floating dust particles from the air too. This means your furniture and house will look much cleaner with less effort from you. Added bonus!

You, your pets, and your family are all shedding skin, hair, and more all day every day. Sounds ugly, but it's true. These tiny flakes of skin fall to the ground, onto furniture, etc. and worse, make a place for "dust mites" to live. Many people are allergic to dust mites and don't even know it. Nor are they aware that the mites live in their homes.

Air filters won't cure this, but they sure will cut down on it. Vacuuming and cleaning or using hepa filters regularly will do the rest. While you can't eliminate dust mites from your home one hundred percent, you can cut them down to numbers so small they're insignificant.

As soon as you start using an air filter, you'll see results that will make you feel better about your home. In a few days, your sinus problems will be gone for good and you'll feel healthier and happier. Over time, you'll also see that your dust is lower, requiring less cleaning from you, and more!

Air filters are a great addition and no home should be without one.

February diet tips

2009-02-12T07:06:00.002+07:00

Consider this the lightning round of diet tips. Some of these you might be familiar with, while others are probably new to you. They come from various articles in the January issues of Family Circle, Health, Good Housekeeping and Women’s Health magazines.
Dieting tips

* Eat breakfast. And try to go for something healthy, with protein and whole grains, rather than a doughnut.
* Keep healthy food in your house, and don’t think that an organic version of junk food is not junk food.
* Try a salad for lunch. You can easily load up on protein and fiber without spending a lot of calories, which will leave you feeling fueled for the day instead of hungry.

* Add superfoods to your diet. Seven recommended by Women’s Health are beets, cabbage, prunes, goji berries, guava, purslane and swiss chard.
* Think of your diet as a bank account by balancing starch and protein, produce and sweets, splurges and saves. A food diary can help you keep track of how you’re eating and can also be effective at helping you lose weight.
* Don’t feel like you have to clean your plate. You can always have leftovers, share with a pal or just leave the extra food at a restaurant. And when you cook a bunch, use single-serving plastic containers to store leftovers for instant portion control.

* Eat real, whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
* Focus on your meal by sitting down to eat and really paying attention to your food. Put it on a small plate or in a tiny bowl and eat with chopsticks if you need help slowing down. Or pick up your fork, take a bite, put your fork down, chew and repeat.
* Drink more water: a Stanford study found women who drank six glasses a day ate 200 fewer calories than women who drank less.

Help with getting through exercise

* Use music or a favorite TV show as motivation to hit the gym.
* Try working out for 30 minutes, resting for 20 minutes, then working out 30 minutes more to burn more fat. And go for higher intensity at the start of your workout rather than the end to burn more fat. Interval training helps, too. Remember, don’t hold the handrails on your exercise machine unless you absolutely have to for balance — holding on burns fewer calories.

Motivation minders

* Make your goals small: it’s not realistic to think you can stick religiously to a healthy diet for six months, but maybe you’d make it a week. After that week, resolve to keep it up for the next week, and so on.
* Use other motivators beyond how you’ll look when you’ve lost weight. Keep a log of things like migraines and acne as well as pounds and inches so you’ll remember how much better you feel even if the pounds aren’t sliding off.
* Throw out your scale, or at least rely on it less. Instead pay attention to how you feel in your body and in your clothes.

Eye Care

2009-02-10T05:39:00.000+07:00

Listen to your eyes. Whether they are sore, tearing, itchy or tired, they are sending you a message. Listen to them. If your eyes hurt when you have been working at the computer for too long, stop and take a break. Be receptive to your eyes.

Palming :

A simple technique called palming can refresh your eyes when they are feeling tired( Remember the first rule! ).

The term 'palming' was coined by William Bates, the author of 2 books on vision improvement (The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses/With Eye Chart) and (The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses).

You just close your eyes and cover them with your palms, resting them on your cheek bones. Make sure you do not put pressure on your eyeballs. Relax and think of pleasant images. A variation is to imagine the 'blackest' black that you can. But the important thing is to keep your mind relaxed. There are more eye exercises available on the Vision Improvement Site.

Computer work:

Nowadays, people spend a lot of time in front of the computer screen. Thus it is even more crucial to give your eyes adequate rest. Here are some things you can do:

If possible, do computer work without wearing your glasses. I know this is difficult for most people but this is enormously beneficial. I can only see the screen about 8-10 inches away, so I move the monitor nearer and shift my chair forward. Now my eyes don't feel as tried as before.
Look up across the room or out of the window every few minutes. Take a few deep breathes before continuing your work.

Stop work after every 40 minutes or so. Get up from your seat and take a walk around the place. Palm for a few minutes before going back to face the computer screen again.
Whenever possible, make use of your distant vision. Extended periods of time spent at the computer can really spoil one's eyesight, as you may have noticed. Seek out opportunities to see things that are far away.

Reading:

When you are reading, do try to read without wearing your prescription glasses. Most people will find they can do so at a comfortable distance. Put the material you are reading far away just so that the letters can be seen clearly. Gradually, the distance at which you can read will increase.

Ten Precepts for Protection Breast Cancer

2009-02-08T05:33:00.001+07:00

A set of precepts for the modern woman who would like to do all she can to protect herself from breast cancer, for her own sake and for those dear to her, should include the following:

* Remember that breast cancer is a curable disease—if caught in time.

* Note that we have the methods and equipment to detect breast cancer in its early stages when it is still confined to the breast and is therefore curable.

* Be aware of the enemy and realize that you have powerful methods on your side.

* You most valuable weapon is your own hands. Use the properly and regularly once a month in doing breast self-examination.

* Visit your physician once a year—or more frequently if he finds it advisable—for a complete examination. Such an examination may require more equipment and expertise than he has. If so, ask him to arrange for special studies.

* Remember that most breast conditions are harmless. At the same time, remember that you owe it to yourself to inform your physician of any new findings in your breast, for only he can make the proper differential diagnosis.

* Alert all women close to you to the above advice, and urge them to follow through.

* Learn as much as you can about the breast and its disorders. Ask questions of your physician if you do not understand. The more knowledge you have, the better you can protect yourself. Keep informed about new discoveries—you never know when they may be useful.

* Never take lightly a change in your breasts. The reassurance of a negative examination by your physician is worth more than the effort involved in getting it.

* Above all, remember that the odds are strongly against your ever developing breast cancer—but that you must be on your guard at all times.

10 Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)

2009-02-07T06:19:00.001+07:00

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

What Is Good Mental Health

2009-02-07T06:01:00.004+07:00

Mental health has been defined as:
‘The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity; from early childhood until late life, mental health is the springboard of thinking and communications skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience and self-esteem.’

What Is Meant By Mental Health?

Emotional wellbeing, emotional welfare and balanced psychological health are some of the important terms which describe ‘mental health’.

Our state of mind or mental health is primarily influenced by the way we think and the way our brain processes. How we look at things and how we lead our lives is a major determining factor on our mental health. Apart from that, our past life and other physical factors as well as environment play a significant role in shaping our mental health. Mental health not only shapes our present but also determines our physical life and future over all health.

Mental health can vary according to our circumstances and can change our life, in the same way as our physical health.
Mental health can be maintained by allowing your brain to think positively and keep an eye on how you are leading your life. It is also important to see which factors are shaping your personality and how they affect you. When you let your brain processes go askew and no longer care about the positive and negative matters your mental health is affected.

What Is Good Mental Health?

Good mental health is defined as a person’s ability to perform all his/her duties and fulfill a number of tasks, functions and activities of his/her daily routine life.
Good mental health is characterized by one’s:
• capability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions.
• potential to maintain good relationships with others.
• ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.

How Is Good Mental Health Maintained?

Good mental health can be maintained by living a stress free life. A life which has its share of problems and worries yet, enables one to take them in stride and live a normal and adjusted life.

Only the absence of mental problems do not comprise of a good mental health. Good mental health also means that one does not let these problems and tribulations overcome the brain processes.

After countless researches, scientists have concluded that people who always seem to be in a good mood may have naturally higher levels of endorphins (types of hormone) and the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are released by the brain and make us feel good when we are enjoying ourselves or when something pleasant happens.

What Happens When Good Mental Health Is Not Maintained?
Due to any reason such as an illness or some unpleasant experience in life, mental health can get affected. Any normal person with good mental health can fall victim to mental health problems which result from a complex interaction of biological, social and psychological factors.

Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, directly affecting about a quarter of the population in any one year. They range from short-term problems to serious long-term illnesses. These problems can seriously harm an individual and one may never regain the good mental health that one possessed earlier.

Some Tips To Maintain Good Mental Health
You can help keep yourself in good mental health by following these tips. These tips not only help you in maintaining a good mental health but you can also help others in maintaining a balanced mental health:

• talking about your feelings
• keeping active
• eating healthy
• drinking moderately
• keeping in touch with friends and loved ones
• asking for help when you need it
• taking a break
• doing something you are good at and enjoy
• accepting who you are
• caring for others

Mental health comprises not only of what is going on in your mind at one time but also encompasses of all the functions that you perform while you are conscious of them. Maintaining a sound mental health is very important to lead a normal and happy life.

100 Smartest Diet Tips Ever

2009-02-06T05:47:00.000+07:00

By Top Dietitians of the American Dietetic Association for Prevention
Got a diet dilemma? Ask a true diet pro: an RD, or registered dietitian. Her job is turning complex nutrition research into doable plans for real people.

Courtesy of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), we took our readers' eleven toughest diet problems and ran them by some of the top dietitians in the US: RDs who, in addition to their private careers, serve as media spokespersons or heads of specialty practice groups for the ADA.

Here's what they told us, in their own words. These tips are solid gold, learned from successful experience with thousands of clients. Some tips are new. Some you've heard before, but they're repeated because they work. This treasure trove of RD wisdom could change your life-starting today.

I Can Only Handle One Diet Change Right Now. What Should I Do?
1. Add just one fruit or veggie serving daily. Get comfortable with that, then add an extra serving until you reach 8 to 10 a day.

2. Eat at least two servings of a fruit or veggie at every meal.

3. Resolve never to supersize your food portions—unless you want to supersize your clothes.

4. Make eating purposeful, not mindless. Whenever you put food in your mouth, peel it, unwrap it, plate it, and sit. Engage all of the senses in the pleasure of nourishing your body.

5. Start eating a big breakfast. It helps you eat fewer total calories throughout the day.

6. Make sure your plate is half veggies and/or fruit at both lunch and dinner.

Are there Any Easy Tricks to Help Me Cut Calories?
7. Eating out? Halve it, and bag the rest. A typical restaurant entree has 1,000 to 2,000 calories, not even counting the bread, appetizer, beverage, and dessert.

8. When dining out, make it automatic: Order one dessert to share.

9. Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate.

10. See what you eat. Plate your food instead of eating out of the jar or bag.

11. Eat the low-cal items on your plate first, then graduate. Start with salads, veggies, and broth soups, and eat meats and starches last. By the time you get to them, you'll be full enough to be content with smaller portions of the high-calorie choices.

12. Instead of whole milk, switch to 1 percent. If you drink one 8-oz glass a day, you'll lose 5 lb in a year.

13. Juice has as many calories, ounce for ounce, as soda. Set a limit of one 8-oz glass of fruit juice a day.

14. Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages. Have fresh fruit instead of fruit juice.

15. Keep a food journal. It really works wonders.

16. Follow the Chinese saying: "Eat until you are eight-tenths full."

17. Use mustard instead of mayo.

18. Eat more soup. The noncreamy ones are filling but low-cal.

19. Cut back on or cut out caloric drinks such as soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc. People have lost weight by making just this one change. If you have a 20-oz bottle of Coca-Cola every day, switch to Diet Coke. You should lose 25 lb in a year.

20. Take your lunch to work.

21. Sit when you eat.

22. Dilute juice with water.

23. Have mostly veggies for lunch.

24. Eat at home.

25. Limit alcohol to weekends.

How Can I Eat More Veggies?
26. Have a V8 or tomato juice instead of a Diet Coke at 3 pm.

27. Doctor your veggies to make them delicious: Dribble maple syrup over carrots, and sprinkle chopped nuts on green beans.

28. Mix three different cans of beans and some diet Italian dressing. Eat this three-bean salad all week.

29. Don't forget that vegetable soup counts as a vegetable.

30. Rediscover the sweet potato.

31. Use prebagged baby spinach everywhere: as "lettuce" in sandwiches, heated in soups, wilted in hot pasta, and added to salads.

32. Spend the extra few dollars to buy vegetables that are already washed and cut up.

33. Really hate veggies? Relax. If you love fruits, eat plenty of them; they are just as healthy (especially colorful ones such as oranges, mangoes, and melons).

34. Keep seven bags of your favorite frozen vegetables on hand. Mix any combination, microwave, and top with your favorite low-fat dressing. Enjoy 3 to 4 cups a day. Makes a great quick dinner.

Can You Give Me a Mantra that will Help Me Stick to My Diet?
35. "The best portion of high-calorie foods is the smallest one. The best portion of vegetables is the largest one. Period."

36. "I'll ride the wave. My cravings will disappear after 10 minutes if I turn my attention elsewhere."

37. "I want to be around to see my grandchildren, so I can forgo a cookie now."

38. "I am a work in progress."

39. "It's more stressful to continue being fat than to stop overeating."

I Eat Healthy, but I'm Overweight. What Mistakes Could I Be Making without Realizing It?
40. Skipping meals. Many healthy eaters "diet by day and binge by night."

41. Don't "graze" yourself fat. You can easily munch 600 calories of pretzels or cereal without realizing it.

42. Eating pasta like crazy. A serving of pasta is 1 cup, but some people routinely eat 4 cups.43. Eating supersize bagels of 400 to 500 calories for snacks.

44. Ignoring "Serving Size" on the Nutrition Facts panel.

45. Snacking on bowls of nuts. Nuts are healthy but dense with calories. Put those bowls away, and use nuts as a garnish instead of a snack.

46. Thinking all energy bars and fruit smoothies are low-cal.

What Can I Eat for a Healthy Low-Cal Dinner if I Don't Want to Cook?
47. A smoothie made with fat-free milk, frozen fruit, and wheat germ.

48. The smallest fast-food burger (with mustard and ketchup, not mayo) and a no-cal beverage. Then at home, have an apple or baby carrots.

49. A peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread with a glass of 1 percent milk and an apple.

50. Precooked chicken strips and microwaved frozen broccoli topped with Parmesan cheese.

51. A healthy frozen entree with a salad and a glass of 1 percent milk.

52. Scramble eggs in a nonstick skillet. Pop some asparagus in the microwave, and add whole wheat toast. If your cholesterol levels are normal, you can have seven eggs a week!

53. A bag of frozen vegetables heated in the microwave, topped with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts.

54. Prebagged salad topped with canned tuna, grape tomatoes, shredded reduced-fat cheese, and low-cal Italian dressing.

55. Keep lean sandwich fixings on hand: whole wheat bread, sliced turkey, reduced-fat cheese, tomatoes, mustard with horseradish.

56. Heat up a can of good soup.

57. Cereal, fruit, and fat-free milk makes a good meal anytime.

58. Try a veggie sandwich from Subway.

59. Precut fruit for a salad and add yogurt.

What's Your Best Advice for Avoiding those Extra Holiday Pounds?
60. Don't tell yourself, "It's okay, it's the holidays." That opens the door to 6 weeks of splurging.

61. Remember, EAT before you meet. Have this small meal before you go to any parties: a hardboiled Egg, Apple, and a Thirst quencher (water, seltzer, diet soda, tea).

62. As obvious as it sounds, don't stand near the food at parties. Make the effort, and you'll find you eat less.

63. At a buffet? Eating a little of everything guarantees high calories. Decide on three or four things, only one of which is high in calories. Save that for last so there's less chance of overeating.

64. For the duration of the holidays, wear your snuggest clothes that don't allow much room for expansion. Wearing sweats is out until January.

65. Give it away! After company leaves, give away leftover food to neighbors, doormen, or delivery people, or take it to work the next day.

66. Walk around the mall three times before you start shopping.

67. Make exercise a nonnegotiable priority.

68. Dance to music with your family in your home. One dietitian reported that when she asks her patients to do this, initially they just smile, but once they've done it, they say it is one of the easiest ways to involve the whole family in exercise.

How Can I Control a Raging Sweet Tooth?
69. Once in a while, have a lean, mean salad for lunch or dinner, and save the meal's calories for a full dessert.

70. Are you the kind of person who does better if you make up your mind to do without sweets and just not have them around? Or are you going to do better if you have a limited amount of sweets every day? One RD reported that most of her clients pick the latter and find they can avoid bingeing after a few days.

71. If your family thinks they need a very sweet treat every night, try to strike a balance between offering healthy choices but allowing them some "free will." Compromise with low-fat ice cream and fruit, or sometimes just fruit with a dollop of whipped cream.

72. Try 2 weeks without sweets. It's amazing how your cravings vanish.

73. Eat more fruit. A person who gets enough fruit in his diet doesn't have a raging sweet tooth.

74. Eat your sweets, just eat them smart! Carve out about 150 calories per day for your favorite sweet. That amounts to about an ounce of chocolate, half a modest slice of cake, or 1/2 cup of regular ice cream.

75. Try these smart little sweets: sugar-free hot cocoa, frozen red grapes, fudgsicles, sugar-free gum, Nutri-Grain chocolate fudge twists, Tootsie Rolls, and hard candy.

How Can I Conquer My Downfall: Bingeing at Night?
76. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large majority of people who struggle with night eating are those who skip meals or don't eat balanced meals during the day. This is a major setup for overeating at night.

77. Eat your evening meal in the kitchen or dining room, sitting down at the table.

78. Drink cold unsweetened raspberry tea. It tastes great and keeps your mouth busy.

79. Change your nighttime schedule. It will take effort, but it will pay off. You need something that will occupy your mind and hands.

80. If you're eating at night due to emotions, you need to focus on getting in touch with what's going on and taking care of yourself in a way that really works. Find a nonfood method of coping with your stress.

81. Put a sign on the kitchen and refrigerator doors: "Closed after Dinner."

82. Brush your teeth right after dinner to remind you: No more food.

83. Eat without engaging in any other simultaneous activity. No reading, watching TV, or sitting at the computer.

84. Eating late at night won't itself cause weight gain. It's how many calories—not when you eat them—that counts.

How Can I Reap Added Health Benefits from My Dieting?
85. Fat-free isn't always your best bet. Research has found that none of the lycopene or alpha- or beta-carotene that fight cancer and heart disease is absorbed from salads with fat-free dressing. Only slightly more is absorbed with reduced-fat dressing; the most is absorbed with full-fat dressing. But remember, use your dressing in moderate amounts.

86. Skipping breakfast will leave you tired and craving naughty foods by midmorning. To fill up healthfully and tastefully, try this sweet, fruity breakfast full of antioxidants. In a blender, process 1 c nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, 1 1/3 c frozen strawberries (no added sugar), 1 peeled kiwi, and 1 peeled banana. Pulse until mixture is milkshake consistency. Makes one 2-cup serving; 348 calories and 1.5 fat grams.

87. If you're famished by 4 p.m. and have no alternative but an office vending machine, reach for the nuts—. The same goes if your only choices are what's available in the hotel minibar.

88. Next time you're feeling wiped out in late afternoon, forgo that cup of coffee and reach for a cup of yogurt instead. The combination of protein, carbohydrate, and fat in an 8-ounce serving of low-fat yogurt will give you a sense of fullness and well-being that coffee can't match, as well as some vital nutrients. If you haven't eaten in 3 to 4 hours, your blood glucose levels are probably dropping, so eating a small amount of nutrient-rich food will give your brain and your body a boost.

89. Making just a few changes to your pantry shelves can get you a lot closer to your weight loss goals. Here's what to do: If you use corn and peanut oil, replace it with olive oil. Same goes for breads—go for whole wheat. Trade in those fatty cold cuts like salami and bologna and replace them canned tuna, sliced turkey breast, and lean roast beef. Change from drinking whole milk to fat-free milk or low-fat soy milk. This is hard for a lot of people so try transitioning down to 2 percent and then 1 percent before you go fat-free.

90. Nothing's less appetizing than a crisper drawer full of mushy vegetables. Frozen vegetables store much better, plus they may have greater nutritional value than fresh. Food suppliers typically freeze veggies just a few hours after harvest, locking in the nutrients. Fresh veggies, on the other hand, often spend days in the back of a truck before they reach your supermarket.

91. Worried about the trans-fat content in your peanut butter? Good news: In a test done on Skippy, JIF, Peter Pan, and a supermarket brand, the levels of trans fats per 2-tablespoon serving were far lower than 0.5 gram—low enough that under proposed laws, the brands can legally claim zero trans fats on the label. They also contained only 1 gram more sugar than natural brands—not a significant difference.

Eating Less Isn't Enough—What Exercising Tips Will Help Me Shed Pounds?
92. Overeating is not the result of exercise. Vigorous exercise won't stimulate you to overeat. It's just the opposite. Exercise at any level helps curb your appetite immediately following the workout.

93. When you're exercising, you shouldn't wait for thirst to strike before you take a drink. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Try this: Drink at least 16 ounces of water, sports drinks, or juices two hours before you exercise. Then drink 8 ounces an hour before and another 4 to 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Finish with at least 16 ounces after you're done exercising.

94. Tune in to an audio book while you walk. It'll keep you going longer and looking forward to the next walk—and the next chapter! Check your local library for a great selection. Look for a whodunit; you might walk so far you'll need to take a cab home!

95. Think yoga's too serene to burn calories? Think again. You can burn 250 to 350 calories during an hour-long class (that's as much as you'd burn from an hour of walking)! Plus, you'll improve muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance.

96. Drinking too few can hamper your weight loss efforts. That's because dehydration can slow your metabolism by 3 percent, or about 45 fewer calories burned a day, which in a year could mean weighing 5 pounds more. The key to water isn't how much you drink, it's how frequently you drink it. Small amounts sipped often work better than 8 ounces gulped down at once.

How Can I Manage My Emotional Eating and Get the Support I Need?
97. A registered dietitian (RD) can help you find healthy ways to manage your weight with food. To find one in your area who consults with private clients call (800) 366-1655.

98. The best place to drop pounds may be your own house of worship. Researchers set up healthy eating and exercise programs in 16 Baltimore churches. More than 500 women participated and after a year the most successful lost an average of 20 lb. Weight loss programs based on faith are so successful because there's a built-in community component that people can feel comfortable with.

99. Here's another reason to keep level-headed all the time: Pennsylvania State University research has found that women less able to cope with stress—shown by blood pressure and heart rate elevations—ate twice as many fatty snacks as stress-resistant women did, even after the stress stopped (in this case, 25 minutes of periodic jackhammer-level noise and an unsolvable maze).

100. Sitting at a computer may help you slim down. When researchers at Brown University School of Medicine put 92 people on online weight loss programs for a year, those who received weekly e-mail counseling shed 5 1/2 more pounds than those who got none. Counselors provided weekly feedback on diet and exercise logs, answered questions, and cheered them on. Most major online diet programs offer many of these features.

Weight-loss tips from real women

2009-02-05T07:06:00.001+07:00

After yesterday’s look at celebrity weight loss secrets revealed in January’s crop of women’s magazines, it’s time for mere mortals to have their turn at telling us how to lose big.
Weight loss for the people

People magazine always starts a new year with an issue called Half Their Size, which reveals how real people lost 100 pounds or more. Ironically, two of the big losers — dropping 151 pounds and 170 pounds, respectively — did it with now-defunct LA Weight Loss.

Using a diet plan, whether LA Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, South Beach or Optifast, was the secret of almost everyone’s success. Just one of the people profiled said she used her own low-calorie, low-fat diet plan. A quick rundown of the diets and their costs is included if you want to see if one is right for you.

For even more inspiration, People also offered a profile of blogger Lynn Bering, who lost 166 pounds on Weight Watchers online and lived to blog about it, and a story about the magazine challenging eight people from Mississippi — the nation’s fattest state — to lose weight in ‘08.
Finding a more glamorous you

Glamour magazine has an interesting story in its January issue about how to get to your “happy weight,” meaning the weight that is healthiest for you even if that doesn’t mean stick thin.

Some of their success stories actually include women who needed to gain weight, which is rare for women’s magazines that usually focus on people who are larger than their ideal.

Most of those who lost weight did so by exercising more and adding more natural foods. Those who gained weight accepted that they were forcing their bodies into unhealthy images of perfection and usually stopped counting calories and started eating more often.

The magazine offers general tips for finding your weight sweet spot, including:

* Don’t try to change everything all at once.
* Figure out how many calories you actually need.
* Keep a food diary so you can see how far off you are.
* Be more active on a daily basis.
* Eat smaller portions.

Friend of the Lab Sunny Gold (who just passed the torch on the Shape Up blog) shares how she got to her perfect weight with the help of an eating-disorder support group, and the magazine looks at four women’s daily eating habits and what they should be eating instead.
Lose weight like us

US Weekly featured notes from people who didn’t win “The Biggest Loser” but still lost big in its January 14 issue. The three ladies profiled work out regularly, either at the gym or by hiking outdoors, and they’re making healthier food choices like apples and peanut butter instead of chocolate or learn protein, fruit and veggies instead of junk food. Way to go, ladies.
Weight loss wasn’t quick or simple

Finally, Good Housekeeping’s Quick and Simple magazine shares the story of Ellen Kelley, who at her highest weight was 535 pounds. She struggled with her weight throughout her life and was always on a diet.

She lost some weight on her own but went through gastric bypass surgery in 2001. She now weighs 235 pounds and encouraged one of her sisters to have the surgery as well.

She says having the surgery was like having brain surgery: “All of a sudden I was treated like I had a brain.” She says she is so grateful for her second chance that she always shows compassion to large people — something we should all think more about.

16 Essential Weight Loss and Fitness Strategies

2009-02-04T05:45:00.001+07:00

Do you want to improve the quality of your life? Do you want to look and feel better than you have in years? maybe better than you ever have before? Do you want to protect yourself from disease and injury? And do you want to live a longer, more vital life?

I?m confident that you answered YES! to each of those questions, just as the hundreds of individuals I?ve counseled, coached, and trained in my career as a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Rehabilitation Specialist.

I?m now going to reveal to you the 16 essential strategies that have enabled my clients to achieve the health and fitness goals they always wanted!

16 Essential Weight Loss and Fitness Strategies

1. In the beginning, your fitness program should not be overly aggressive. One of the biggest problems people encounter when starting a fitness program is rapidly depleted motivation after only a few weeks due to an overly ambitious fitness program. Attempting to do too much too fast is worse than doing nothing at all! Because then you feel like exercise is too hard and it?s just not for you.

Start out slow, maybe just shooting for 1 or 2 workouts a week. Once you have successfully added that to your normal routine, then attempt to slowly add to your fitness program. Plus, most people don?t need to exercise more than 3-4 times a week. That doesn?t mean you can?t exercise more; it?s just not necessary.

2. Always have a detailed plan! In order to reach your health and fitness goals, you must have a road map to follow. I can?t stress this enough. If you are unsure of how to put together a fitness plan, or if you?re uncertain of the effectiveness of the one you have, I highly recommend you consult a professional fitness trainer. With a well thought out plan you are much more likely to be successful!

3. Set realistic, attainable goals. You must have tangible, quantifiable, short and long-term goals so you can measure and assess your progress. Too many people have totally unrealistic expectations of what to expect from an exercise and nutrition program. The best way for you to understand what is realistic and attainable is to talk with a fitness professional ? not to buy into the ?hype? of infomercials and diet and fitness products that are blatantly misleading.

4. Keep a journal! This is one of the most important things you can do. If you?re not tracking what you?re doing, how will you know what worked? There are quite a few great exercise and nutrition logs I?ve come across. You should keep track of all your exercise and also each day?s food intake.

There?s a company called NutraBiotics that makes a great 90-day journal that can be used to track strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and daily nutrition. If you would like more information on this journal, please feel free to call me at 240-731-3724.

5. You must be accountable! Set exercise appointments with yourself if you?re not working with a personal fitness trainer. Use your appointment book to set aside times for exercise, just like you do for meetings or events. Don?t let things get in the way. Nothing is more important than your health! If you don?t have your health you can?t effectively do anything. I often have mothers tell me that they can?t find time to exercise because they have to take care of their children. I have 4 daughters myself, and a baby on the way, so I know exactly how hard it is. Whatever your situation is, making the commitment to exercise and your health IS possible, and very important. Plus, it sets a great example for the children!

6. Remember the benefits of exercise. Being physically fit affects every aspect of your life: you sleep better, eat better, love better, overcome stress better, work better, communicate better, and live better! Remember how good it feels to finish a workout, and how great it feels to meet your goals!

7. Exercise safely and correctly. So much time is wasted doing, at best, unproductive exercise, or at worst, dangerous exercise. Educate yourself on how to exercise correctly. The best way to do that is to hire a personal fitness trainer. It could be for just a few sessions to learn the basics, or it could be for a few months to learn everything. It?s completely up to you. But statistics prove that those who understand how to exercise correctly get better, faster results. And that?s what you want, right?

8. Enjoy your exercise! For example, if you hate doing strength training, try to find ways to make it more enjoyable. Circuit training might be a more fun and exciting way to fit this important part of fitness into your program. The key is you should enjoy it, and if you don?t you need to look for other exercises or activities to replace whatever it is you don?t enjoy.

If you don?t enjoy it, how do you expect to stick with it?

9. Make time to stretch! It has so much benefit and takes very little time. So many people suffer from various aches and pains of which most can be eliminated by basic stretches! Try to spend at least 5 minutes after each workout stretching. For more information on stretching and how it eliminates aches and pains, please call 240-731-3724 to request a FREE copy of my special report ?No More Back Pain?.

10. Don?t think you need to exercise 5 days a week! I touched on this earlier. Many people feel they?re getting fat because they?re not exercising. Totally not the case! Exercise is not the answer! It?s all in your eating habits. However, exercise can aid in burning body fat, plus there are numerous health benefits. Think of exercise as a bonus.

How many people do you know who exercise 3-5 times per week, but still fail to meet their weight loss and fitness goals? I?ve met hundreds!

First look at your eating habits, such as: when you eat, what you eat, how much you eat, where you eat, and how often you eat.

11. Never skip breakfast, or any meal! If you want to maximize your fitness or fat-loss efforts you?ve got to eat breakfast! So many people skip breakfast, and it?s the worst thing you could ever do when it comes to fat-loss. Skipping meals throws your blood sugar all out of whack and it sets you up to store your next meal as fat, almost guaranteed!

12. Eat fat to lose fat. Healthy fats are necessary to your body for numerous reasons: regulating hormonal production, improving immune function, lowering total cholesterol, and providing the basics for healthy hair, nails, and skin.

The key is to eat the right types of fats. The ?good? fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and avocados, to name a few. The ?bad? fats are partially hydrogenated oils, and trans fats. Most processed foods contain large amounts of these bad fats. For more information on the different types of fats, please call 240-731-3724 to request a FREE copy of my Healthy Eating Guidelines.

13. Drink plenty of fresh, clean water. Yes, I know that you have probably heard this one over and over again. But there?s a reason for that ? it?s that important! The recommended daily intake of water is 8 glasses, or 64 oz. You should even be drinking even more if you are active or exercise regularly.

And no, soda, juice, coffee, and tea DON?T count! Nearly every chemical process place in your body, takes place in water! Proper blood flow and digestion are both affected by how much water you drink, and poor blood flow and digestion can be linked to numerous health conditions.

14. Stabilize your blood sugar! If you want to burn fat and prevent your body from putting it back on, you must stabilize your blood sugar. In order to do this you need to eat small, balanced meals or snacks every 2-3 hours.

Fasting, skipping meals, and overly restrictive diets will enable you to lose weight ? in the short run. The weight you lose is primarily water weight and muscle tissue, and in the long run has opposite effect of what you want. When you restrict your diet, your body instinctively thinks it?s being starved and shifts into a protective mode by slowing down the metabolism and storing nearly all calories as body fat. Plus, losing muscle tissue is the last thing you want to do. Muscle burns calories, even while you sleep. You should be focused on increasing, or at least maintaining muscle tissue.

15. Focus on increasing muscle tissue. As I mentioned previously, muscle burns calories, so if you want to increase your metabolism, you have to increase your muscle. The best way to do that is with progressive strength training. That doesn?t mean you have to join a gym, buy expensive fitness equipment, or follow some bodybuilding workout program; it simply means you need to challenge your muscles! You can do that at home in just 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week.

16. Get the help of an expert! Obviously, meeting your health and fitness goals is important to you, so why not eliminate the guesswork and start seeing the results you have always wanted? With the help of a qualified professional you can!

If your car breaks down, where do you take it? Mechanic, right? How about if you have a cavity? Dentist. So why is it that so many people attempt to solve their health and fitness problems without consulting an expert? I don?t know exactly, but I encourage you to make the investment in yourself- in your life- by hiring a professional to educate you and help you meet your goals.

So there you have it. The 16 essential strategies for an effective weight loss and fitness program that will have you looking and feeling great!

Jesse Cannone is a certified personal trainer and author of the best-selling fitness ebook, Burn Fat FAST. Be sure to sign up for his free email course as it is full of powerful weight loss and fitness tips that are guaranteed to help you get the results you want.

What Constitutes a Breast Examination

2009-02-03T17:49:00.000+07:00

Mrs. B.C., 34, mother of five, reproached her family physician. "I have known you for fifteen years. For the past twelve years I have been visiting the gynecologist you referred me to on a regular basis. During all this time, neither you nor the gynecologist has examined my breasts, except for an occasional perfunctory examination when I was pregnant. Don't you think I have a legitimate complaint? I have heard recently that there are newer methods that are of great help in finding breast abnormalities. Shouldn't I get the benefit of the latest?"

This conversation is an example of the growing awareness on the part of women that their breasts—that part of their anatomy which is the focus of so much concern—deserve much greater interest from and observation by their physicians than has been the case heretofore. The breast is easily accessible to examination by the woman and the physician alike. The use of procedures in addition to palpation is increasing as more people become aware of their availability and usefulness.

What does a breast examination mean to the modern woman, or what should it mean?

There are two types of breast examination. Both are vital to the well-being of the woman, and both should be accepted by her as a duty to herself and to those dear to her, and as a right.

The first type, and perhaps most important, is breast self-examination. And the second is examination by others, primarily a physician using his hands and eyes, and allied health professionals using new technology to expand the horizon of detection.

Certainly the oldest, by far the most common, and probably the most effective method for earlier breast-cancer detection is B. S. E.—breast self-examination by the woman herself. This procedure is the simplest to apply, the least expensive, the most readily available, and it improves in value with regular repetition. It can be used profitably at any age.

Many women, however, never have the inclination or the confidence to examine their own breasts. They seem to be turned off by the variations in the consistency and irregularities they find. Many of them actually complain that they develop anxieties when they feel their breasts because they suspect they have lumps. A woman needs to be aware that a breast is not a homogeneous mass, but that it normally contains various structures, some of which are felt as nodules, thickenings, or small lumps. She should be reassured after being taught breast self-examination that her breasts are normal even though there are little irregularities.

Every woman's breast is different in this respect from all others. Besides, each breast varies in texture from year to year and often during even a single month. An intelligent woman's fingers are an excellent method of breast examination because every woman can become aware of her own breast makeup and can readily detect a change, often a very small one. The average woman can probably become as expert in examining her own breast as a general physician who sees her for the first time and has not had the benefit of repeated earlier examinations of that particular breast.

What is important, of course, is any change a woman finds from one examination to the other. Let's describe the actual technique of a breast examination. It's simple and easy to do.

The cardinal principles involved are that the examination should be started when the skin is wet and soapy, as during a shower or bath, and that the palmar surface of the fingers—not the tips—be used. The hands should be relaxed and the touch gentle, and all portions of the breast must be examined, including the nipple and those portions that extend high into the armpit and near the breastbone. Some experts suggest a rotary motion in feeling the breast, area by area; others suggest a gentle stroking feeling either up and down or across. It is best to repeat the examination both in the upright position and lying down in bed after the examination in the shower. The examination should be done once a month, preferably at the same time. For menstruating women, the end of the period, when the breasts are less sensitive, is an excellent time. For others, the first of the month is a handy date.

It is remarkable how sensitive a woman's fingers can become. A simple, painless examination that takes only a few minutes can detect a very tiny lump. With awareness of the need for breast self-examination must go the assurance that only very occasionally is even an apparently new lump the sign of a serious growth. However, only a physician can decide whether a mass needs further attention. A woman owes it to herself not to procrastinate but to contact her physician whenever and as soon as she finds what she thinks is a lump or thickening that was not there on her last examination.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that a breast self-examination on a monthly basis is a must. Not only is it the most common method for detection of breast cancer in early stages when practiced regularly, but it is most important even when regular periodic study by the physician is made—including the various new techniques which will be described. In every screening study, involving apparently well women, a few women will get a clean bill of health and then find a new lump within a year of such an examination. Some of these turn out to be small early cancers which were not detectable in the previous complete study. Every woman who is alert to the problem and fulfills her responsibility to herself must continue self-examination all her life. She must not skip monthly examinations because she sees her physician on an annual or semi-annual basis.

The technique of breast self-examination is easily learned from the accompanying diagram. At the time of the physician's examination, the details of this test should be gone over with him. It is his responsibility to teach a woman self-examination with her own hands on her own breast. Many a woman's life has been saved by this simple, easily learned examination. Every woman, regardless of her age, must do it regularly once a month. Every woman must urge her physician to teach her this technique on her own body. A pamphlet alone is just not enough.

However, the hands of an expert physician are most valuable in evaluating the breast. It is also very important to realize that the earliest stage of a cancer may be associated with no lump that can be felt by woman or physician. At this early stage, many of these cancers can be detected in other ways—by mammography or thermography.

Clinical examination—which means examination with the eyes, hands, and fingers of the physician—involves feeling the breast for a lump or seeing the changes in the skin as the result of such a lump. The lump must be close to the surface or large enough to stand out from its surroundings. If the breast is small, a very small lump can be felt. If the breast is very large, even a large lump may be difficult to detect. Lying on a small pea is uncomfortable, but it takes a princess to feel that same pea under a mattress. Thus, cancers in their early stages, when they are small, may be completely undetectable by feeling with the hands if the small cancer is in a large breast. When we consider that a woman's breast usually becomes larger and more fatty as she gets older, especially after the menopause, and when we consider that breast cancers become more common at the same time, the problem becomes apparent. At the very time when our "feeling ability" needs to be better, the breasts are larger and the process becomes more difficult.

Another aspect of the problem is that perhaps one third of all cancers produce changes in the milk ducts in the early stages, which do not show up as lumps at all. These changes eventually coalesce and congeal to form a lump that can be felt, but by then the cancer may already have spread beyond the breast. In the early stages, that same cancer may not be felt at time of examination or even at time of operation.

Now we know that a small cancer in a large, fatty breast and many changes due to cancer in the ducts before a lump develops can be detected by the X ray with a high degree of accuracy. In other words, the X-ray examination called mammography can detect many cancers before they can be felt.

However, just as the clinical examination has its drawbacks (not every cancer can be felt), so mammography has its shortcomings (not every cancer can be seen on an X-ray film). On palpation, a cancer, to be felt, must be present as a lump that stands out amid its surroundings. In mammography, a cancer must have telltale signs on the film to make possible a diagnosis. Both methods occasionally fail, but fortunately they complement each other. Together, they form a very accurate team for detection.

A large breast made up mostly of fat, in which a cancer lump may be difficult to feel, is viewed with more confidence by the radiologist, because the fat of the large breast presents a dark background on which the cancer stands out as a white mass. In addition, the diffuse changes in the ducts which do not show as a lump stand out as striking white dots called "microcalcifications," and thus betray their appearance at an early stage of the cancer. And the cancer that produces changes in breast tissue by distortion of breast strands—or "trabeculae"—and which does not produce a palpable lump until the reaction of the breast adds dense fibrous tissue, can be detected on the X ray by virtue of these distortions.

Eventually, of course, all the cancers become large, palpable, and obvious, and produce changes in skin and glands. Eventually, too, the cancers show up as dense lumps and cause changes in breast structure so that the diagnosis on the X ray is easy to make. In time, therefore, cancers are detectable both on clinical examination and on mammography. This is true of perhaps nine out of ten cancers that are brought to physicians today. In these cases the X ray is used to complement the clinical diagnosis of cancer and to make sure there is no unsuspected trouble in the opposite breast.

Mammography may also show the clinician that the suspicious lump is merely a cyst that needs only needle aspiration of fluid. Indeed, this situation is generally the case today. The woman herself finds her lump in over 90 percent of breast cancers. If the physician confirms the presence of a lump, a biopsy is performed for final diagnosis before definite action is taken. In other words, the X ray is primarily for confirmation of a problem at hand.

However, stress is being placed more and more by many authorities on the use of mammography in "screening" for breast cancer. Under such circumstances, a woman has a complete breast examination at a time when she has no apparent disturbance—no lumps or thickenings. At this stage, the X-ray examination becomes particularly valuable in detecting a tumor which cannot be felt. Such a mass—if a cancer—is usually in an early, localized state and responsive to treatment. Only by screening can most breast cancer be found when it is in a curable stage.

Since X rays are used in mammography, the dose of radiation applied is of importance. In recent years there has been improvement of the equipment used in this study. Special devices with special X-ray tubes and filters, plus special films, have made it possible to produce superior X-ray studies with minimal amounts of X rays. In centers where large-scale screening is done, the dose of radiation to the breasts can be made so small that all authorities are agreed that no danger is present or will develop even if a woman's breasts are subjected to repeated periodic examinations over many years. Today an annual examination is recommended for the average woman—unless other factors, such as strong family history or multiple operations, warrant more frequent study.

The X-ray examination is usually performed with two views, one up and down or "cranio-caudad" and the other from side to side or "medio-lateral." This permits practically all of the breast to be examined. The examination is painless, quick, and convenient. No injections are ordinarily used. If a breast discharge is present and is bloody, an injection of contrasting material may be made in the ducts for further details of the duct mechanism.

Mammography usually involves the use of film as the recording medium, as is usually true in X-ray examinations of other parts of the body. In recent years the technical aspects of the procedure have been subjected to change in many quarters in an attempt to improve the quality of the images produced, the ease, speed, and economy of the examination, and the amounts of X rays used. The net result has been an improved mammographic image yielding more information with much less effort on the part of the technician. The improvements have been essentially in three directions: improved X-ray equipment to produce enhanced quality of the pictures, new ways to display the image to increase accuracy of diagnosis, and lower radiation dose.

New equipment with new types of tubes has been developed, especially by Professor Charles Gros in Strasbourg, which has produced greater detail in the images and which in turn has made interpretation easier and more accurate. New films have been introduced which have made it possible to produce these excellent images with minute amounts of X rays, so that there need be no concern about periodic examinations, even over many years.

An interesting development by Dr. John Wolfe of Detroit and Dr. John Martin of Houston has been the reintroduction and perfection of a process called "xerography" in which the same X-ray machine is used but the image is recorded on a special charged selenium plate instead of film. The image is then transferred to a special paper. The net result is an image on paper which has excellent detail. Some radiologists have found these xeromammograms easier to interpret than film; others prefer film. Both forms of mammography, when performed properly by expert hands, are excellent means of providing exquisite details of breast structure in health and disease. Perhaps both will be used together eventually in our efforts to continue to improve the valuable method known as mammography.

About 1948, Dr. Ray Lawson, a breast surgeon in Montreal, noted that breast cancer was associated with increased heat that could be detected as it radiated from the breast. This observation has developed into the modality known as "thermography." Today, this heat or "infrared emanation" that forms an invisible stream from the breast is picked up by sophisticated sensors and is translated into a photograph. The heat that comes from the depths of the breast is apparently transmitted to the surface by the blood in the veins. Various patterns of vein heat can be made out in normal breasts. These patterns are symmetrical in the two breasts, although they differ from one woman to another, and remain constant for many years.

Various breast conditions—harmless as well as malignant—are associated with areas or patterns of increased heat in one breast as compared with another. Some 15 to 20 percent of women have increased areas of heat in one breast compared with the other, with no evidence of disease. Because this outward manifestation of increased heat may be coming from the depths of the breast in an entirely different area from the one shown on the thermograph, biopsy is not performed on such a breast unless the exact location of disease is identified on palpation or mammography. It is thought that breasts with areas of increased heat and no other positive findings may reflect a situation in which greater activity is taking place, and that such breasts should be watched more frequently as being potentially at higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer, too, usually betrays its presence by localized or diffuse areas of increased heat. Some cancers do not show positive thermograms. Actually, the experienced physician uses thermography as a means for alerting him to a possible cancer. When clinical examination or mammography is questionable, markedly increased heat on thermography can lead to treatment without delay.

In the United States, Dr. Gerald Dodd in Houston, Dr. Jo Ann Haberman in Oklahoma City, Dr. Jack Wallace in Philadelphia, and Dr. Harold Isard in Philadelphia have been in the forefront of developing improved thermographic equipment and in pointing out the advantages and limitations of this procedure.

Thermography is done in a simple, quick manner—the procedure takes a few minutes at most. It involves no X rays. It can be repeated as often as desired because it is completely harmless. For the examination, a woman must have the skin of her chest exposed to a cool 70° with arms away from the body for at least five minutes before the study is made. This permits the heat from below the skin to stand out more readily. Studies are being conducted in the United States and elsewhere to determine whether thermography, with or without clinical examination, can be used as a preliminary screening examination. In such places mammography is done only on women with positive findings on palpation or thermography. A study is also going on in New York City's Health Insurance Plan and in Philadelphia's Jefferson Medical School to evaluate thermography's role and contribution to the screening process. Most large programs which screen well women for breast cancer use thermography in addition to, and not instead of, the other procedures of clinical examination and mammography as part of the complete examination.

Another important part of a breast examination is the history, or the medical interview. Details of personal, menstrual, childbearing, breast, and family history are helpful in evaluating whether a woman is more likely to develop cancer and whether more frequent examinations are needed. These data collected uniformly in many thousands of screening examinations, such as are being sponsored in the United States by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, may provide valuable insights into the development of breast cancer.

In some centers, other means for breast-cancer detection are in various stages of development. Ultrasound energy is being used as a potential detector of cancer. Transillumination, in which powerful but cool lights are used to look through the breast, is also being tried in some places to differentiate solid masses from cysts. Aspiration of masses, in which a small amount of tissue is removed with a needle, is an additional means for detecting a cancer quickly. It should be emphasized that a negative result with a needle aspiration of this type does not rule out the possibility of a cancer.

The technique of a thorough breast examination varies widely in quality as well as quantity among physicians in various countries and even in different regions of the same country. Physical examination depends on the experience of the physician. Some physicians never develop expertise because they seldom examine a woman's breast unless she has breast symptoms. And even then, the examination may be cursory, taking only a minute or two. Compare this with the thirty minutes it may take an expert in history-taking and in the complete examination.

At the Hopital Civile in Strasbourg, where Professor Charles Gros is head of the radiology department, a complete breast examination means an exhaustive inquiry into family, breast disease, menstrual, and childbearing history, personal breast symptoms, and questions relating to psychological history—and all answers are recorded. A careful physical examination of the breast is followed by transillumination of the breast, an improved X-ray examination, a thermographic study, an ultrasound examination, and a needle biopsy of any suspected mass.

In short, every woman is entitled to the very best and most complete periodic breast examination available to her in her community. Never must she lose sight, however, of the need to supplement the examination with a regular, monthly breast self-examination.

Do You Use Your Human Nature To Lose Weight Permanently?

2009-02-02T17:04:00.002+07:00

We humans are fascinating creatures, aren’t we? And one of our key differences to animals is: We are able to observe ourselves, an ability usually called “consciousness”.

There is a lot going on lately around the themes of “being conscious” and “being in the moment” and “being present”. I don’t know, if these ideas sound a bit “woo-woo” for you or not- there is always something to learn, so let’s see what our ability to observe ourselves has to do with losing weight permanently.

If a private investigator watched your eating, your physical activity, even your emotions leading to food choices: Would he be able to tell you what your habits are, how you could improve your eating patterns, how to better copy with emotionally challenging situations?

You bet he could. In fact, we are often too immersed in our activities to be able to notice what is really going on with us. However, isn’t it important to notice what you are eating, how you move your body, how you react to your emotions?

So, awareness is a key to lose weight permanently.

Awareness has another huge benefit to it. Let’s say, you feel appetite for ice cream. Being aware of this appetite puts you in the position to be an independent observer of yourself. What in tune allows you to evaluate if you really want and need the ice cream.

It really helps for healthy weight loss to observe yourself from a neutral position of “I am aware I am currently doing/feeling X”.

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Dementia

2009-02-01T06:24:00.002+07:00

The latest research to be added to the long list of studies supporting the benefits of vitamin D was recently published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychology and Neurology. The study revealed that vitamin D deficiency leads to signifcant mental decline as people age.

Press Release from The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentristry as published by EurekAlert:

"Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan, have for the first time identified a relationship between Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", and cognitive impairment in a large-scale study of older people. The importance of these findings lies in the connection between cognitive function and dementia: people who have impaired cognitive function are more likely to develop dementia. The paper will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Geriatric Psychology and Neurology.

The study was based on data on almost 2000 adults aged 65 and over who participated in the Health Survey for England in 2000 and whose levels of cognitive function were assessed. The study found that as levels of Vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Compared to those with optimum levels of Vitamin D, those with the lowest levels were more than twice as likely to be cognitively impaired.

Vitamin D is important in maintaining bone health, in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in helping our immune system. In humans, Vitamin D comes from three main sources – exposure to sunlight, foods such as oily fish, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D (such as milk, cereals, and soya drinks). One problem faced by older people is that the capacity of the skin to absorb Vitamin D from sunlight decreases as the body ages, so they are more reliant on obtaining Vitamin D from other sources.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, dementia affects 700,000 people in the UK and it is predicted that this figure will rise to over 1 million by 2025. Two-thirds of sufferers are women, and 60,000 deaths a year are attributable to the condition. It is believed that the financial cost of dementia to the UK is over £17 billion a year.

Dr. Iain Lang from the Peninsula Medical School, who worked on the study, commented: "This is the first large-scale study to identify a relationship between Vitamin D and cognitive impairment in later life. Dementia is a growing problem for health services everywhere, and people who have cognitive impairment are at higher risk of going on to develop dementia. That means identifying ways in which we can reduce levels of dementia is a key challenge for health services."

Dr Lang added: "For those of us who live in countries where there are dark winters without much sunlight, like the UK, getting enough Vitamin D can be a real problem – particularly for older people, who absorb less Vitamin D from sunlight. One way to address this might be to provide older adults with Vitamin D supplements. This has been proposed in the past as a way of improving bone health in older people, but our results suggest it might also have other benefits. We need to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is a cost-effective and low-risk way of reducing older people's risks of developing cognitive impairment and dementia." '

A liquid vitamin D3 supplement is the perfect way for older individuals to make sure they get enough vitamin D each day.

Food Trends in 2009

2009-01-31T06:24:00.003+07:00

The Food Channel has come up with ten food-related trends that they think will be big in 2009. Their research was carried out in conjunction with the World Thought Bank, also known as neemee.com.
(Note that both the Food Channel and the World Thought Bank are businesses, not official bodies.)

The editor of The Food Channel, Kay Logsdon, said:
For more than 20 years, the chefs and editors at The Food Channel have tracked emerging and mainstreaming food trends for our work developing food products, ideas and recipes for some of the world's largest food companies ... In our new role as consumers' one-stop-shop for all things food, we have decided to share this insider information for the first time.

The ten trends set to appear or grow in 2009 are:
1. Home on the Range -- Downsized economy breeds new generation of home chefs, more food-savvy than their predecessors
2. Foodie 2.0 -- Growth of virtual and non-virtual food communities
3. Going, Going Green -- Kitchens go eco-conscious
4. Living La Vida Locavore -- Eating locally and seasonally, both at home and in restaurants
5. TMI? -- Is seeing the calorie count on the menu Too Much Information (TMI), or will it lead to healthier choices?
6. FrankenFood --The rise of bioengineering and genetically modified food; the next evolution of last year's Functional Food trend
7. Food Philanthropy -- Individuals and companies address world hunger
8. Food Insecurity The call for tighter food controls, after the tomato and jalapeno scares of 2008
9. Brewing Business Striking a balance when cost is an issue; the divide widens between the exotic and day-to-day food needs
10. Where in the World... is the next flavor trend coming from? It's all about globalization and variety

You can find the full predictions for each of these ten areas on the food channel's website.

So what do you think will be big this year? Are any of these trends active in your neighbourhood or community? Can you add any trends to the list?

How Breast Cancer Is Treated

2009-01-30T19:34:00.000+07:00

Recently there has been much controversy in the media—magazine, radio, and television—about how much or how little surgery is desirable in breast cancer. Discussion has been generated by different schools of thought, all with influential adherents and all with weighty arguments. Unfortunately, the data presented by each side are not acceptable to the other, so that differences of opinion remain. The woman with possible breast cancer finds herself in the middle without knowing which way to turn.

Mrs. B. S., aged 36, mother of three, nudged her husband at 3:00 a.m. "Jack, I think I feel a lump in my right breast!" She was terrified. The next morning her suspicions were confirmed by her physician. A surgical colleague verified the need for a biopsy, the removal of the growth for accurate diagnosis.

"We just have to explore to find out," he said.

"Could it be a cancer?" she asked tremulously. "Yes, it may well be," he answered.

"What will you do then?" she asked quietly.

"We shall then have to remove your breast."

"Will you talk the matter over with me before you take that step?"

"No, the biopsy specimen will be examined by the pathologist by what we call a frozen section, while you are asleep. If diagnosis of cancer is made, we shall proceed with a mastectomy—a removal of the breast."

"Can't I have a chance to wake up and think it over?"

"No, I would prefer to have your consent to proceed in advance. It is not best for you, in my judgment, to delay and return to the operating room for a second operation. I believe it is better to do the necessary surgery as soon as a diagnosis is established."

"I've been reading about doctors who are inclined to do less surgery and even try to save most of the breast. They insist that a woman should have the right to decide in an important matter like this what she wants to have done to her body. I'd like to have that chance even if another operation is necessary later."

"I agree that you have the right to decide—that is why we are discussing the matter. But if you insist on two operations, I must advise you to seek another surgeon. I cannot in good conscience do what you wish."

Mrs. B. S. had heard of a surgeon who would agree with her ideas. She did seek his opinion. She did have less than a mastectomy for her breast cancer. However, the intense emotional upheaval, anxieties and fears connected with her illness, the possibility that she had made a wrong decision, the thought that she may therefore be doomed have weighed heavily on her and her family. Many other women, on the other hand, go along with the decision to do the usual extensive surgery and then go through the agony of wondering whether less disfiguring surgery would have been adequate.

It has been calculated that there are perhaps fourteen treatment combinations possible for a woman with breast cancer. Opinions differ widely among the experts in this country as well as abroad. Treatments vary all the way from a needle diagnosis followed by radiation therapy to supraradical surgery—and many combinations in between. Prominent surgeons have gone on record as sincerely and strongly favoring one form of treatment over another. When we add such procedures as oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), chemotherapy (chemical treatments during or after operation), and radiation therapy before or after surgery, the possible combinations are literally legion. Clinical trials are being done here and abroad to evaluate several treatment methods to find the best answer. Dr. Bernard Fisher of Pittsburgh is in charge of one complex study to evaluate different combinations of treatment. It will take many years to reach acceptable conclusions.

The probability remains that honest differences of opinion will continue to exist because patients are in different stages of the disease when they come to physicians, and because physicians are, after all, only human beings with special expertise but with highly individual psychological backgrounds and skills.

In the welter of confusion and doubt stimulated by articles by reporters and physicians which have urged that women have a right to make a decision about the extent of surgery to be performed on their bodies, no one seems to realize that the woman involved has no real scientific basis for making a judgment. How can a woman plagued by intense anxiety and lack of knowledge decide what type of surgical procedure should be undertaken for her own breast cancer? The truth of the matter is that we are begging the question. Every woman with breast cancer must make the only decision she is capable of making: She must choose which physician will be responsible for her treatment; she cannot choose which treatment to have. She must rely completely on the good judgment of the physician in whom she has confidence.

The medical profession will eventually have to come to grips with the general problem of more or less surgery, and, more important, specifically for the particular woman—with all her personal problems and hang-ups—who is entrusting her fate to her physician's hands. The humane and expert surgeon considers his patient as a whole human being and not as just a breast cancer. He adjusts his procedure not only to the type of cancer present but also to the emotional and mental makeup of his patient. The procedure must be suited to the individual.

However, in this controversy the most significant fact is often overlooked—and that is the stage of the disease when it is detected and treated. All clinicians interested in treatment of breast cancer are agreed that the most important ingredient is what is called "an early lesion."

All surgeons hope that every cancer of the breast coming in for treatment will be an early one—one that is localized to the breast, one that is so small it is felt hardly or not at all by their expert fingers. That is the cancer they can cure, and the one that may lead, we hope, to less surgery. When we reach the time when most breast cancer is found in the curable stage, controversy over the extent of surgery will lessen. For the more or less late cancers that are now found all too often, surgeons feel they must use mastectomy to give the woman the best chance for a cure. When these same sincere surgeons are faced with more of the small, curable variety, they will be glad to do less surgery and end up with a woman who remains emotionally healthy as well as cured of her cancer.

Physicians responsible for the care of breast cancer are acutely aware of the following:

* Surgical treatment offers the best hope for a cure. It may be combined with other forms of treatment, but removal of all the cancer remains the basis for best results.
* Too many women still visit their physicians for the first time with far advanced breast cancer—too far advanced for successful treatment. A few years ago it was estimated that one third of breast cancers in the United States were so far advanced that they were considered inoperable—too late for surgery.
* Surgical treatment is effective when the cancer is still confined to the breast. When the armpit glands are involved, cures are fewer. Long-term survival is related to the amount of involvement beyond the breast.
* Most surgeons in this country and elsewhere still feel strongly that a complete removal of the breast and adjacent potentially involved structures—radical mastectomy—is the best treatment for operable breast cancer. A growing vociferous minority is opting for less extensive surgery in the presence of minimal cancer—some are even advocating less than total removal of the breast in highly selected situations. Studies are under way in the United States, England, and Canada to shed light on this problem. It will take several years before enough data are collected to provide meaningful conclusions.

Cancer is an insidious disease. It starts on a microscopic level and then infiltrates and invades normal adjacent structures to become a mass which then discards the local controls. It then sends out scouts to set up colonies in other vital organs to continue its growth. The regional glands (lymph nodes) act as a defense mechanism, or barrier, to prevent the metastasis from spreading elsewhere. Unfortunately, the filtering mechanism itself tends to become cancerous. For this reason the glands in the armpit or under the breastbone may be removed.

The aim of the surgical procedure is the removal of all tissue invaded by cancer. For the past seventy-five years the dictum in the surgical management of cancer of the breast has been "Remove all the breast involved with cancer and the regional lymph glands filtering the cancer." Because the chest muscles (or pectoralis major and minor) extend across the armpit, and because their covering may also be involved with the adjacent nodes, they are removed together with the breast and the armpit glands. This operation is known as a "radical mastectomy." When the cancer is in the inner half of the breast and there is a likelihood that the glands under the breastbone are involved, a few surgeons will remove these glands, too—the "supraradical mastectomy."

Many surgeons, though still in a minority, have been leaving the chest muscles so that there is less chest deformity after the operation. This procedure is called "modified radical mastectomy." Under certain conditions, such as weakened general physical condition or in very early cases, a surgeon may remove only the breast proper, leaving muscles and glands intact. This procedure is known as a "simple mastectomy" or "total mastectomy."

Over the years a few daring surgeons in some countries have felt that removal of less than the entire breast would suffice, especially in the early and small cancers with which there is no apparent involvement of the armpit. This operation, known variously as "wide local excision," "partial mastectomy," "lumpectomy," or "tylectomy," is usually followed by radiation therapy to the remaining breast tissue and neighboring lymph glands. The advocates of mastectomy point out that thorough microscopic studies have shown that in as many as 90 percent of obvious cancers there are other seeds of cancer elsewhere in the breast which are not detectable by ordinary examination, and that partial removal of a breast may leave cancer behind.

Those with an opposite view point out that radiation therapy is probably effective for these early seeds of cancer, if present, and that with modern methods of detection one might safely observe the breast and postpone more surgery till the disease again becomes apparent. It should be emphasized that before extensive surgery is undertaken, a biopsy is made. A small piece of tissue is removed for microscopic study and a definite diagnosis. Sometimes the specimen is X-rayed to make sure that the proper area has been removed and is being studied. This procedure is called "specimen radiography."

Another form of treatment for breast cancer is radiation therapy, using various forms of sophisticated equipment. This is usually reserved for postsurgical situations in which cancer is suspected as still being present. It may be used to treat glands that might be involved but which have not been removed. It is known that breast cancer, especially in early stages, is sensitive to the X ray. However, some cancers do not respond as well as others. It is difficult, if not impossible, to know which types will be completely destroyed. X-ray therapy is also used to treat areas of metastasis or spread. It is often used as the sole treatment in advanced forms of the disease that are not operable.

Hormone therapy is based on the fact that breast cancer is in some way associated with the secretions from endocrine glands, especially the "sex hormones." Manipulation of the sex-hormone environment of the body—by surgical removal of the ovaries, the adrenals, and the pituitary, or by giving hormones to the patient—often produces remarkable long-term control.

Chemotherapy is treatment with cancer-killing drugs. Many drugs have been tried, some with great success, in breast cancer. New ones are regularly being produced. These drugs can indeed destroy much of the cancer, but usually not its entirety. There is still a great need for the magic bullet that will destroy all cancer cells wherever they may be hiding, but will not be harmful to normal cells.

An important part of the story of breast-cancer treatment is rehabilitation. Because the mainstay of current treatment is surgical and often involves extensive procedures, physical and emotional problems are common. Great strides have been made in overcoming them. The American Cancer Society has been in the forefront of such activities. Its "Reach to Recovery" program, originated and stimulated by a tireless, farsighted, and compassionate woman, Therese Lasser, has brought to many women the comfort and reassurance that a normal life—emotionally as well as physically—can today follow breast surgery.

The program is conducted on a national basis by a group of dedicated volunteers who themselves have had mastectomies, and who are trained in the proper approach to a woman who has had recent surgery. After receiving the approval of the attending surgeon, they usually visit the patient before she has left the hospital; help her to develop an optimistic outlook on her condition; give her the reassurance that her life can remain sexually, socially, and emotionally as before; and leave information on proper exercises. They also provide a temporary prosthesis so that the woman can leave the hospital in the same outfit she wore when she came in.

In most cases, proper well-fitting bras and prostheses, as well as carefully regulated exercises, can bring to postsurgical women normal appearance, normal activity, and normal social relationships.

What causes allergies

2009-01-30T05:56:00.002+07:00

To help answer this question, let's look at a common household example. A few months after the new cat arrives in the house, dad begins to have itchy eyes and episodes of sneezing. One of the three children develops coughing and wheezing, especially when the cat comes into her bedroom. The mom and the other two children experience no reaction whatsoever to the presence of the cat. How can we explain this?

The immune system is the body's organized defense mechanism against foreign invaders, particularly infections. Its job is to recognize and react to these foreign substances, which are called antigens. Antigens are substances that are capable of causing the production of antibodies. Antigens may or may not lead to an allergic reaction. Allergens are certain antigens that cause an allergic reaction and the production of IgE.

The aim of the immune system is to mobilize its forces at the site of invasion and destroy the enemy. One of the ways it does this is to create protective proteins called antibodies that are specifically targeted against particular foreign substances. These antibodies, or immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD), are protective and help destroy a foreign particle by attaching to its surface, thereby making it easier for other immune cells to destroy it. The allergic person however, develops a specific type of antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, in response to certain normally harmless foreign substances, such as cat dander. To summarize, immunoglobulins are a group of protein molecules that act as antibodies. There are five different types; IgA, IgM, IgG, IgD, and IgE. IgE is the allergy antibody.

(In 1967, the husband and wife team of Kimishige and Teriko Ishizaka detected a previously unrecognized type of immunoglobulin in allergic people. They called it gamma E globulin or IgE.)

In the pet cat example, the dad and the youngest daughter developed IgE antibodies in large amounts that were targeted against the cat allergen, the cat dander. The dad and daughter are now sensitized or prone to develop allergic reactions on subsequent and repeated exposures to cat allergen. Typically, there is a period of "sensitization" ranging from months to years prior to an allergic reaction. Although it might occasionally appear that an allergic reaction has occurred on the first exposure to the allergen, there must have been a prior contact in order for the immune system to be poised to react in this way.

IgE is an antibody that all of us have in small amounts. Allergic persons, however, produce IgE in large quantities. Normally, this antibody is important in protecting us from parasites, but not from cat dander or other allergens. During the sensitization period, cat dander IgE is being overproduced and coats certain potentially explosive cells that contain chemicals. These cells are capable of causing an allergic reaction on subsequent exposures to the dander. This is because the reaction of the cat dander with the dander IgE irritates the cells and leads to the release of various chemicals, including histamine. These chemicals, in turn, cause inflammation and the typical allergic symptoms. This is how the immune system becomes exaggerated and primed to cause an allergic reaction when stimulated by an allergen.

On exposure to cat dander, the mom and the other two children produce other classes of antibodies, none of which cause allergic reactions. In these non-allergic members of the family, the dander particles are eliminated uneventfully by the immune system and the cat has no effect on them.

Weight Loss Tips

2009-01-29T17:04:00.000+07:00

No meal is considered complete if there is no dessert. However, the desserts we eat usually contain plenty of salt, sugar, and/or fat in them. Developed countries are suffering from excessive addiction towards these and other types of junk foods. Although there is no solid reason for preferring fast food, majority of people tend to eat it on a regular basis even after knowing its adverse effects on our health. One should tend to avoid excessive consumption of junk food.

However, by stating that, we never mean to cut down on your fat completely. Fat is an essential source of our energy, and it keeps our body functioning fine with its energy storing, and heat providing capabilities. Do not fall pray for the low fat diets or the so called “zero fat diets”. These benefit less, and harm more in the long run. How? Well, you tend to overeat the same diet for getting the calories that your body needs for its usual working! These diets never help in stopping the binges, and frequent urges to eat food. In the end, you can end up putting on more weight than losing it!

However, it is not that there is no food that can help you lose weight. In fact, these are available easily, and we just do not know enough about them. We tend to ignore them, all the time thinking they cannot benefit us as much as a “costly fat loss program” can!

Let us keep it short.

Fresh fruit dessert can help you shed enough pounds over a period of time. It is easy to prepare, and always taste good. A perfectly ripe and ready to eat fresh fruit dessert has a good flavor to pamper any palate. Adding this to your dietary schedule escapes you from consuming any ho hum salad too. Above all, you can personalize you fresh fruit dessert by mixing any number of fruit in it, and adding little sugar or salt to enhance its taste. You won’t be tempted to add too much of sugar because of its naturally sweet flavor due to fruit sugar fructose. Below are its other benefits:

1. Fresh fruit dessert provides you the necessary fibers to enhance digestion. In the long run it prevents diverticulosis.
2. Fresh fruit dessert helps in reducing the food binges.
3. Total number of calories is always less than any other dessert, so, you end up shedding pounds with its regular use.
4. Fresh fruit salad provides other essential nutrients like vitamins, and minerals, that you obviously can miss in any other sweet dish.
5. Milk can be added to this dessert (skimmed milk) to make it even better.
6. It is an excellent way to get instant energy, and you will not feel drowsy/lazy after having it.
Fresh Fruit Dessert

Fresh Fruit Dessert

There are a number of ways by which you can make your fruit dessert work the best for you. Just avoid adding too much sugar, whipped cream or any other dairy products into it, and you will see the results within 2-3 weeks!

The big 9 foodborne illnesses and what they do to you

2009-01-29T07:02:00.000+07:00

Food Poisoning on the Rise

It seems like reports of foodborne illness are becoming more common these days, from salmonella in tomatoes to E. coli in spinach. But what exactly happens if you catch a foodborne illness? This quick guide to the common calamities should help calm you down.

Botulism

While many cases of botulism are from causes other than food, about 15 percent of the around 145 cases reported each year come from a food outbreak.

Recent food outbreaks of botulism include a recall of products from Castleberry’s Food Company in July 2007 and a green bean contamination in August 2007.

Botulism is caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, a family of bacteria that lives in the soil and in low-oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores that are dormant until exposed to conditions that support their growth.

The most common food-related outbreaks of botulism are linked to home canning gone awry, but other canned foods can be tainted with the bacteria, which causes paralytic problems in humans.

Symptoms of botulism include doubled or blurred vision, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, dry mouth, trouble swallowing and muscle weakness. Symptoms of foodborne botulism usually turn up 18 to 36 hours after eating tainted food, but it can take up to 10 days for symptoms to occur.

Left untreated, botulism can lead to paralysis of the arms, legs and respiratory muscles. If it comes to that, a mechanical ventilator will be required for treatment. About 3 to 5 percent of people who get any kind of botulism will die from it, and this is due to respiratory failure.

When caught earlier, an anti-toxin derived from horses can be used to stop the spread of the bacteria, and vomiting may be induced to rid the body of tainted food particles.

If you can your own foods, take special care with those that are low in acid. Boiling canned foods for 10 minutes before eating should kill any bacteria. Botulism is also the reason honey isn’t given to infants.

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is an illness caused by bacteria of the same name (it’s also sometimes called campylobateriosis). The bacteria is found in most of the poultry we eat, as it exists in birds and doesn’t make them sick.

It doesn’t make us sick, either, if the chicken we eat is cooked properly and hasn’t been contaminated with raw chicken juices. When you hear people talk about how important it is to wash everything when you work with raw chicken, this is the bug they’re warning you against. It can also be killed by oxygen, and freezing seems to lower the number of bacteria found on the chicken.

Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in the world, and the illness can be diagnosed from a stool culture. Most people get over the bacteria without medication, just letting the diarrhea run its course, so to speak. It usually goes away within two to five days.

More serious illness may require the use of an antibiotic to clear up, and in some cases people develop arthritis or a very rare nerve disease called Guillain-BarrÃ© syndrome after having campylobacter. This disorder causes the body’s immune system to attack the nerves, resulting in paralysis.

Campylobacter is almost always isolated to an individual or small group that ate undercooked poultry, but more widespread outbreaks are possible, usually associated with unpasturized milk or tainted drinking water.

E. coli

E. coli, or, more scientifically, Esherichia coli is actually a large group of bacteria, most of which aren’t harmful. The ones that are bad are known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. And the most common of these is E. coli O157:H7, which is the one reporters are talking about when they’re talking about E. coli outbreaks.

These bacteria live in the guts of ruminant animals, most notably cattle, but also deer, elk, goats and sheep. In the slaughtering process the intestines can be cut, allowing the bacteria onto the meat. E. coli usually doesn’t make the host animal sick, but when humans ingest it they’re often in for diarrhea, which can be bloody, stomach cramps, vomiting and sometimes a low fever.

Food science nerd Harold McGee reports that about a third of all people who develop E. coli illness need to be hospitalized, and about 5 percent of those die. It’s most dangerous in children. About 5 to 10 percent of those who get infected with E. coli will develop a more serious illness, hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.

The most common culprit for E. coli contamination is ground beef, as grinding meat from many different cows together spreads the bacteria across a wider range of packages. It can also be found in unpasturized milk or apple cider, or cheeses made from raw milk.

Vegetables that come in contact with animal feces can also be tainted with E. coli, as with the spinach outbreak in 2006. People have also been known to get E. coli from swallowing contaminated water (when swimming in a farm pond, for example) or at petting zoos.

Listeria

If you’ve ever been pregnant you’ve probably heard about the dangers of listeriosis, or infection with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

That’s because pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis, and about a third of all cases of listeria infection strike pregnant women. (Newborns, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and diseases like cancer, diabetes and kidney disease get most of the other infections.)

Listeria is found in soil and water and especially in places that have been fertilized with manure. The bacteria is carried by animals it doesn’t harm, and it can contaminate animal products including meat, milk and cheese, as well as vegetables that come into contact with the bacteria.

Infections can be caused by uncooked meats, raw-milk cheeses, vegetables and cold cuts or soft cheeses that may be contaminated at the deli counter after processing. Pasteurization and cooking kill listeria, but products can be contaminated after cooking and before packaging or through cross-contamination at the deli.

Fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea are the most common symptoms, but the infection can spread to the nervous system, causing headaches, a stiff neck and convulsions. About 2,500 people become seriously ill in the United States each year from listeria and about 500 die.

Pregnant women who get listeriosis may only exhibit flu-like symptoms, but the illness can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and infection of the newborn. You’ll need a blood test to be sure you have the infection, and both adults and babies can be treated with antibiotics.

Listeria infection can be prevented by thoroughly cooking all meats (even lunchmeat, especially if you’re pregnant), avoiding raw or unpasturized milk, cheese or juice, washing vegetables before eating and cleaning hands, knives and cutting boards after dealing with raw meat.

“Mad cow” disease

Mad cow, properly known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is a chronic, degenerative disease affecting the nervous systems of cattle. Consumption of infected cattle has been linked to a disease known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans, which is always fatal.

While it’s not completely clear how BSE in cattle is connected to vCJD in humans, it’s thought that the disease is passed by eating meat that contains brain tissue. The parts of the cow considered to be most infectious for humans are the brain, spinal cord, retina, optic nerve, and dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. McGee reports it may also be found in muscles, which means many different cuts of meat may be potentially dangerous.

The disease was spread among cattle when they were given feed containing these parts from sick cows, a practice that has since been stopped.

The illness has killed more than 160 people in Britain and nearly 40 elsewhere in the world, but since the illness has an incubation period of a year or more, it’s likely there are more cases that have yet to surface.

The infectious agent is known as a prion, a kind of protein that carries the disease between cows or from cow to human. If meat you eat has these prions, there’s nothing you can do about it; cooking will not affect it. Symptoms of vCJD include dementia, memory loss, hallucinations and personality changes paired with physical changes such as jerky movements, slurred speech, difficulty walking or changes in posture or gait and seizures.

Death from this disease can happen in a matter of weeks or months, but some people manage to live for years with the disease.

Norovirus
Noroviruses, commonly called Norwalk-like viruses, are a special kind of foodborne illness caused entirely by humans.

When your food preparer is sick with one of these viruses and goes to the bathroom but doesn’t wash his or her hands after, the illness can be transmitted to you. (You can also get it from touching surfaces with norovirus germs on them, then putting your hands in your mouth, or from direct contact with a person with the illness.)

Symptoms can begin as early as 12 hours or as many as 48 hours after exposure and usually include vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomach and headaches, low fever and tiredness. Sometimes people who think they have the flu really have a Norwalk-type virus. Some estimates say that as many as 60 percent of the American population has been exposed to one of these viruses by the age of 50, and about 180,000 are sickened every year.

There is no treatment for the illness, but it usually runs its course quickly. You can be contagious up to two weeks after recovery, so if you know you have had a norovirus, be diligent with the handwashing and don’t cook for other people for a few days, just to be safe.
“Ptomaine poisoning”

Ptomaine poisoning is a term you will still sometimes hear people use when referring to food poisoning, but it’s an inaccurate term.

The term comes from an early theory about food poisoning coming from ptoamines, or alkaloids found in animal and vegetable matter when they decay. This is now known not to be the cause of food poisoning, so the term is not used any longer by the medical community.

Salmonella

One of the most famous and common of the foodborne illnesses, salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of animals. When feces comes in contact with food that isn’t cooked, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans.

About 40,000 cases of salmonella are reported each year, but since many people don’t seek treatment it’s thought the number of people who get it might be 30 or more times larger than the number of reported cases.

Salmonella doesn’t make the animals that carry it sick, and food that’s tainted with the bacteria doesn’t look or smell any differently than safe food. Salmonella is a problem when it gets onto foods that aren’t normally cooked (as was the problem with the 2008 tomato outbreak) or when meat that’s been tainted isn’t cooked properly.

Salmonella infection usually causes diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness generally resolves itself on its own within four to seven days, but it’s important for people with salmonella to get plenty of fluids to make up for the diarreha.

Antibiotics may also be used to treat salmonella, but it’s usually not necessary unless the bacteria spread to the intestines. People with compromised immune systems, the very young and the very old may have more trouble fighting the infection themselves and may need more medical intervention.

Salmonella sometimes leads to Reiter’s syndrome, a condition of painful joints, eye irritation and painful urination that can last for months or years and may in turn lead to chronic arthritis, but this is pretty rare.

The best way to prevent salmonella infection is to always cook meat and eggs to the suggested temperatures and be careful not to contaminate other foods with the juices from uncooked meat, poultry or eggs.

Staph

Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as staph, is a common cause of food poisoning. Staph can linger in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, meat, egg, pasta and potato salads, sandwich fillings and filled baked goods like eclairs and cream pies.

Staph can grow even in the refrigerator, and infested food won’t have an off odor to let you know you shouldn’t eat it.

People who eat food that has staph in it usually get sick very quickly and will usually have nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. In more severe cases people may have headaches, muscle cramps and changes in blood pressure.

The illness usually resolves in two or three days. Diagnosis of staph food poisoning can be made by examining suspect food, since about half of all healthy people have staph on and in their bodies all the time. Animals and humans are the main transmitters of staph, but it also can exist in the air and in water, milk, dust and sewage, as well as in food and on food equipment.

The number of people who typically get staph in a year is unknown because the symptoms are so similar to other food-borne illnesses and it is often misdiagnosed. Many people who are sickened in this way never go to the doctor. The treatment for a staph food poisoning is simply to endure as comfortably as possible until symptoms pass, being careful to prevent dehydration.

The best way to avoid staph food poisoning is to practice basic food safety: don’t let different kinds of meats touch each other, cook meat to recommended safe temperatures, don’t let food sit out for more than two hours, and keep cold foods under 40 degrees and warm foods over 140 degrees whenever possible.

Trichinosis

Trichinosis, also called trichinellosis, is an infection caused by eating animals infected with the larvae of a worm called trichinella. It can be contracted by eating wild carnivorous animals or domesticated pigs.

This infection is pretty gross to describe. When you eat tainted meat, the larvae or cysts of the worms are ingested, and your stomach acid dissolves the cyst, releasing the worm, which matures in a couple of days in your small intestine.

The worms mate in there and the females lay eggs, which then develop into immature worms, travel through the arteries into the muscles and there form cysts again.

You might get a stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue or fever in one or two days after eating tainted meat, and two to eight weeks later you may have further symptoms such as headaches, fever and chills, coughing, eye swelling, muscle or joint pain, itchy skin, constipation or diarrhea. Many mild cases go undiagnosed and go away on their own, but if you have a severe case it can be treated with drugs.

Trichinosis is very rare, with only about a dozen cases reported each year. Prevent it by cooking pork and wild game animals thoroughly. You can also freeze pork for 20 days to kill worms, but that doesn’t always work with game animals.

Nutrition as a Cure

2009-01-28T11:04:00.000+07:00

Nutrition is the study of the food and its role in growth, in repairing tissue and in immunity. This essentially means that an individual should eat just the right amount of the required nutrients that has come to be known as the “Balanced Diet”. It should include all the nutritional essentials, the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Carbohydrates provide the ready energy required to keep our vital organs ticking. Proteins are needed for growth; repair of injured tissue and for the production of enzymes, hormones and antibodies that fight disease causing germs. Fats are yet another element of nutrition needed for sustained energy supply. Vitamins and minerals regulate the entire functions protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates provide for normal growth and health of the body and are found in the day today nutrition.

Minerals are needed for several body functions that include building strong bones, transmitting nerve signals, maintaining a normal heart beat, and in the production of hormones.

Not all of the vitamins are produced in the body except Biotin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin K. So Vitamins should be supplied in the nutrition. UV radiation from the sunlight during outdoor activity helps convert its precursors in the body into vitamin D. The lack or a deficiency of any one vitamin can interfere with the function of other vitamins or minerals.

Fiber is yet another element needed in the diet for its indigestibility. Fruit and vegetables we consume initiates the peristaltic movement in the digestive system. Peristalsis helps move food from one end of the digestive system to the other.

Malnutrition is also nutrition but differs from the latter in that it breaks the rule of the balancing presence of all the six essential elements of nutrition. Malnutrition indicates either deficiency or an excess of one or the other nutritional essential. Malnutrition refers to both the undernutrition and the overnutrition which would come to physically express as either marasmus or as obesity respectively, recognized in body weight. Ideal body weights have been based on height, gender and frame. Excessive intake of minerals and vitamins lead to mineral toxicity or hypervitaminosis.

Malnutrition results from:

* Bad eating habits and lifestyles
* Stress
* Age-related changes
* Prejudices/cultural biases

Malnutrition causes:

* Disorientation
* Depressed immune and thyroid function
* Anemia, fatigue, beriberi, pellagra, rickets, and scurvy
* Overweight , obesity and the attendant conditions

Food Temptation: Men and Women Respond Differently

2009-01-28T05:46:00.002+07:00

An intriguing study sheds some light on gender differences when it comes to abilities to resist temptation of food.

In an exercise in cruelty, doctors asked 23 men and women of healthy weight to go on a three-day fast and then tempted them with morsels of their favorite foods and trips to buffets where study subjects were told they could not partake.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that men's brains looked calmer and worked less when they consciously faced temptation, but women's brains lit up in emotion and hunger desire areas.

Dr. Gene-Jack Wang, lead author of the study (and in my opinion, the proprietor of the coolest name on the planet) suggests that this may explain the gender differences in obesity (33% in males, 35.3% in women, 2006). Other diet experts however think environment and culture, not biology, explain the roots of obesity. Elisabetta Politi, the nutrition director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham N.C, points to other explanations for the disparity, including;

* The number of women who are around food preparing it
* The natural biologic tendency for women to have higher body fat for pregnancy
* The struggle to lose weight after pregnancy
* More stationary work in careers.

Interestingly, both men and women reported success at repressing thoughts about food. "But in women, their brain and what they're saying is not necessarily the same," said Wang. "I hear them say they suppressed their appetite, but their brain is doing something else."

It would appear then that women may be more in denial about their temptations rather than inferior at resisting them. Still, I tend not to believe that this is a big factor in the discrepancy between male/female obesity.

It would be more interesting to see a similar study with obese vs. non-obese, rather than trying to weed out gender differences. I think it's a fascinating study, but I don't think this will change the way in which we treat obesity.

Laser Hair Removal

2009-01-27T05:47:00.002+07:00

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular medical grade procedures for removing unwanted hair from various body parts by using laser light. The laser hair removal procedure is carried out by passing a light beam through the skin. The laser beams target the dark melanin pigment contained in the hair. As the laser strikes the follicles of the hair at the root from which the hair growth originates, the intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle.

Laser for hair removal is undoubtedly the most effective method of achieving a permanent hair reduction. Permanent laser hair reduction has become incredibly popular over time and is now one of the most potent hair removal procedures next to temporary options for hair removal, such as waxing and shaving. There are numerous other means of getting rid of unwanted body hair – radio frequency tweezers, plucking, electronic tweezers, depilatories or creams and electrolysis; as well as the ever popular Brazilian wax for bikini hair removal. These procedures however, though commonly used, cannot ensure the same permanent reduction.

Lasers have proven efficacy over time and have become been widely accepted by dermatologists as well as the wider community. Lasers have been recognized as one of the safest methods for hair removal. Although the dermatologists do not promise permanent solutions with the use of laser hair treatment, they acknowledge the fact that lasers do help in reducing the growth of body hair significantly.

Of all these treatments mentioned above, electrolysis is said to be the first of its kind in removing unwanted body hair. Electrolysis is likely to be carried out in smaller areas where the body has less hair. This method is carried out by inserting a sharp needle into each hair follicle one by one and releasing a low-level electric current which is used for burning the hair follicles. This drawback with this method is that it is quite expensive, very painful and can cause scarring as well.

Laser hair treatment is equally common among both the sexes; with women not the only ones to use different hair removal procedures. Men also remove unwanted body hair with the help of lasers. Laser for hair removal can be used for getting rid of unwanted facial hair, hair from the chin, shoulders, lips, back, ear lobes, underarms, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, thighs, chest, bikini lines, hands, arms, toes and legs. Laser beams are very useful in removing facial hair. Laser treatment for hair removal is also extremely convenient and that’s probably another of the primary reasons for its popularity.

Laser treatments are not only easy to carry out, these methods are also less time consuming than some of the other procedures. Laser treatment allows the cover of a larger skin area, making it more cost-effective as well. Some of the common laser types include: the diode, the alexandrite and the ruby. These were the first lasers to be used for removing unwanted hair. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is another laser used for removing unwanted hair, but this method is not well formulated and may have some unwanted side effects.

Laser hair removal is a means to genuinely slow the hair growth over time, so if you are aiming for a permanent “hair-free” reduction look, then this is a means to achieve that result for a considerable period of time.

Anti Aging Creams

2009-01-26T06:48:00.000+07:00

For good number among us, anti ageing skims are the first line of defence against the obvious effects of ageing. The skin is the body which protects us from external world, protecting the body counters germs, ends of the temperature and anything else which the environment can throw to us. Because of any abuse it supports, the skin is likely irritation and damage, and starts thereafter to show the indicating signs of ageing.

To peel which started to age loses elasticity and starts to wrinkle. To age the spots and the freckles appear in the places were colouring producing cells answered the damage of the sun by producing more dye. The skin loses grease and starts to look at and be smelled slightly, particularly around the eyes, and can have a hard feeling leathery. We employ anti ageing skims to fight these signs of ageing and to continue the skin to seem young people and flexible. Single produced, however, does not function for each one: the best anti cream of ageing for you satisfies your specific needs. Your choice should depend on if you hope to protect your skin just, or reverse the signs of ageing which already appeared.

For the majority among us, the sun is the greatest cause of the damage of skin - we like to feel it sun and like a hot bronze bronzing, but this sun-worship is dangerous for the vulnerable cells of skin. Best anti ageing skims, then, ensure a certain protection against the rays of the sun. The screens of the sun and the blocks of the sun absorb the harmful rays of the sun before they damage cells of skin, and allow us to obtain a surer bronzing, but take guard: bronzing is not sure, nor it helps you to maintain the skin looking at young person, and even best anti ageing skims will not protect you from the excessive exposure in the light of the sun.

We obtain many damage of skin when we are children, too young person to worry about seem old or to employ anti ageing skims. The realization that the damage is already made comes later in the life. Research shows, however, that some damage of skin can be reversed with the topic treatment of vitamin. The two vitamins promising in particular for this are vitamin C and the vitamin E, which was shown in studies limited to improve the structure of collagen, to induce the production of elastin, to decrease by the wrinkles, fades the brown spots, and makes the skin more flexible and smooth. In short, used finished time, they seem to return to seem it of younger skin. So more research this supports, all best anti ageing skims will contain soon these vitamins.

Thus to be good with your skin, to protect it as better you can of the sun and the wind, and other irritants which invade it newspaper, and if you start to note signs of ageing, to give him the best anti cream of ageing than you can find.

10 Ideas to Get You Exercising

2009-01-25T15:12:00.002+07:00

There a hundreds of reasons why we don't exercise - just read the excellent comments on the post Why Don't You Exercise.

Here are 10 different ideas or techniques to help you pursue a lifetime of health and fitness.

If - deep-down - you really don't want to exercise, then don't bother reading further. You will need to get to the bottom of those feelings before moving on. Ambivalence and double-mindedness will only lead to a constant cycle of disappointment. But - if you want to reap the many mental and physical benefits of exercise -- then read on.

1. Know Thyself - Time of Day
What's the point in aiming for fasted cardio (i.e. workouts before breakfast) when you are not a morning person? You might start with the best intentions - but it will probably not last. You must find the time that works best for you.

2. Know Thyself - Comfort Zone
When I exercise I sweat. Sometimes profusely. That may seem gross to some - and to be honest when I caught some people staring at my red sweating face - I was embarrassed. I've realized that public gym workouts are not always for me. I have a basic setup at home that I use instead. If going to the gym - aim for known quiet periods.

zumba.jpg

3. Boredom Busters
I feel bored just looking at the rows of poker-faced people sitting on their stationery bikes. I cannot do this. It bores me to tears. The personal trainer might prescribe 45 minutes of steady-state cardio - but it is most definitely not the only way. Personal Trainers for the most part are enthusiastic and helpful people -- but many seem to be stuck "in a box" when it comes to innovation. If you bore easily (like me) - then mix it up. The feeling of doing something new or different gets me interested again.

4. Structure and Planning
We have become a very time-poor people. Consequently if we want to accomplish anything we will need to plan it. Don't say "I'm going to exercise this week". Say "I'm going to exercise at 4.30pm on Wednesday for 30 minutes - and write it down. It might sound a bit obsessive but every Sunday I plan my whole week - what I aim to do at work, when I will exercise, etc. Without a structure things turn to chaos and I end the week feeling out-of-control and frustrated.

5. Surround yourself with like-minded people
It's tough enough to motivate yourself without having a bunch of couch potatoes pouring scorn on your intentions. Spend time with the right people (on-line or in the real world) and you'll find the motivation starts to come.

6. Focus on the feeling after the session
There's nothing better than blobbing out after a good exercise session. The feeling of satisfaction is something to be savored. Then there are the post-workout endorphins... and the good nights sleep...

7. Stop thinking: All or Nothing
"If I can't do this workout properly - then there is no point in working out". I used to think like this. Now I think that even a 5 minute walk is better than 5 minutes on the couch. Even 10 minutes of light weights is better than nothing. This is especially important when exercising after a period of sickness. You feel like you took one step forward but fell 3 steps backward. Go easy on yourself. Don't give up. Something is better than nothing.

8. What are your priorities?
When taking time to plan your week you will be forced to address priorities. If you are working 16 hours a day and (understandably) have no time for exercise - then you need to sit right back and take a long hard look at what you truly want out of life.

9. Remove the word "quit" from your mental vocabulary
Having goals is great. Lose x pounds of fat. Gain x pounds of muscle. Increased fitness. However there is something even deeper at play. If we lead sedentary lives then exercise simply must become a part of life. Period. Our bodies are made to be worked.

If I said to you "you must exercise for the rest of your life" -- how does that make you feel? Examine the feeling. If it feels like a prison sentence then perhaps you need to do some serious rewiring of your inner monologue. Imagine feeling vital, strong, and energized - into your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s -- wouldn't that be a good feeling?

10. It's not just about looks
The skinny girl down the street might look good to you -- but her size is no indication of her health or strength. She may have unseen visceral fat (see normal-weight obese) or, sadly, could be inviting osteoporosis to come early.

Exercise is just as much about a healthy body as it is about looking good. My wife has reversed a number of health issues with the assistance of exercise. She is not model-thin - but rather - exudes strength and life. Having a strong and useful body often goes hand in hand with emotional self-empowerment.

This has been a long post. Good on you for bothering to read it! I encourage you to add your own ideas to the comments.

10 Steps to Asthma Self Help

2009-01-25T07:17:00.000+07:00

Managing asthma is not something your doctor can do for you all by himself. Asthma self help is an important part of treating and managing your condition so that it doesn’t take over your entire life. Your doctor may prescribe both daily medication and medication to take in case of an acute asthma episode, but the task of minimizing risk of asthma attack and taking care of yourself on a daily basis is largely up to you and your family. Learning some key asthma self help tricks can help you keep your asthma under control so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily life.

Because asthma can be caused, triggered or worsened by so many things, there are many things that you can do to lessen the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Your doctor will offer important suggestions in addition to medication to help you manage your asthma. Think of those suggestions as a personalized asthma self help plan. A major part of asthma self help involves avoiding asthma triggers. Some ways that you can help yourself if you or someone in your family has asthma include:

1. The first and most important step in asthma self help is to follow your doctor’s orders. Don’t stop taking daily medication just because you feel better. If he’s prescribed daily peak flow measurements, be sure to follow instructions carefully and measure daily to monitor your condition.

2. If you smoke, quit. Whether the asthma sufferer is you or a child in your family, cigarette smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers known.

3. Keep the house dust-free – or as close to dust-free as possible. Dust is another common asthma trigger. Use a cylinder vacuum instead of an upright – preferably one that encloses the vacuum cleaner bag inside a solid canister to minimize pumping dust back into the air.

4. If you can, remove carpets and heavy draperies. They’re dust-catchers that easily breed dust mites. If you can’t remove them, vacuum them frequently using a canister vacuum cleaner.

5. Avoid using down feather pillows and comforters, and use a plastic cover on your mattress. Mattresses and pillows can harbor dust mites. The same goes for stuffed animals and other ‘soft’ decorations.

6. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather. Cold air is another common asthma trigger.

7. If your asthma is triggered by allergens, monitor the outside air quality daily. Avoid open fields and woodsy areas during peak pollen seasons, and take extra care when air quality is in danger ranges.

8. Mold is another common allergen that triggers asthma. Keeping mold down is another important part of asthma self help care. Dry wet laundry immediately, and wash and disinfect bathrooms and showers regularly. Remove houseplants, as mold grows in their soil.

9. Pet dander can also trigger asthma symptoms. If you can’t part with a pet because of emotional ties, at least keep it out of the bedroom to minimize your exposure to dander.

10. Avoid foods, medications and drinks that cause allergic reactions.

Is junk food good for kids?

2009-01-24T06:20:00.004+07:00

There’s been an interesting discussion going on over at AlterNet over the past couple of weeks, initially fueled by a story from The Daily Beast in which the writer shared her shock over a fellow mother who wanted to get her ex-husband’s custody privileges revoked for feeding the kids Cheetos, Go-gurt and sandwiches made with white bread.

Said mom reportedly makes her kids’ lunches of whole-grain pita, poached free-range chicken and hydroponic veggies, and considers the introduction of junk food as a trigger for her son’s ADHD.

The author — Laura Bennett, a mom of six kids ages 2 to 20 and a finalist on “Project Runway” — goes on to rant against parents who refuse to feed their kids any kind of junk, saying those kids grow up not knowing how to regulate themselves. They’re the ones who go to houses with junk food and gorge on treats and snacks that other kids see as no big deal.
Parents and readers on all sides

That story ended up having so many comments on all sides of the issue that another story was written about the comments. Some praised their own permissive parents for teaching them about balance and moderation, while others said keeping kids away from the junk means they’ll be healthier throughout their lives.

One mom noted that kids from junk food families have a similar negative reaction when they visit a healthy house, wandering around, frustrated, searching for junk food and snacks that don’t exist. Parents in these households say there’s no reason not to provide you kids the best food that’s out there, and it’s all the better if they don’t grow up thinking yogurt in a tube and bright orange crunchy things are food.

Still others say there’s no reason to add junk food to your household just because you have a kid; if you’re already eating the organic, whole grain, no high fructose corn syrup diet, that’s what your kids should have, too.

One commenter from outside the United States says it’s a very American thing to want to strictly regiment what your child eats — and to look down on parents who don’t make the same choices for their kids.
The answer? Probably balance

I’m not a parent, but it seems to me that two clichés about parenting and life hold true when it comes to what you feed your child.

First, there should be moderation in all things, including moderation. You probably can’t control every last morsel that goes into your kid’s mouth, even if you pack their lunch and supervise them at every turn. There are always lunch trades, unhealthy snacks at other people’s homes, the inevitable birthday cake and so on.

Second, kids should for the most part eat what you eat. Even if they don’t, they’ll learn habits from you. One commenter noted that her parents used to sneak sweets they didn’t want their kids to have, and now she does the same thing. That’s not exactly healthy behavior.

But of course if you want your kids to eat healthy foods, you have to model that behavior for them by choosing healthy foods yourself. That’s probably the hardest part for most families today, at least the ones who don’t want to or don’t have the time to poach free-range chicken every day for lunch.

What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

2009-01-23T06:24:00.001+07:00

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the membrane Peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane in the organs in the abdomen consisting of mesothelial cells.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is associated to coming about from having previous exposure to asbestos, and in many cases is found through routine abdominal xrays and CT scans showing something different than normal.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma can stay dormant in your body for many years, before it will be seen, and for this reason many people years after they have been exposed to asbestos will be diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. About 20% of all mesotheliomas are Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and they can be of two types: malignant and benign.

What are the Symptons of Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

- abdominal pains
- weakness
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- abdominal swelling

The symptoms become more severe over time and should be checked out by a doctor. If they do not, they will cause increasing pressure on your abdomen organs, causing much discomfort, and will lead to bowel obstruction and distention.

How is peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed? A peritoneoscopy is performed, and if there is a reason to be concerned, a biopsy is performed. A biopsy is the process of taking a piece of tissue to be given to a pathologist for analysis. The pathologist uses a microscope to analyse the tissue and make the actual diagnosis.

Currently, it is still unknown why Asbestos causes the mesothelial cells to be cancerous, and it is unsure how many fibers are needed for the tumor to occur. Many treatments exist for peritoneal mesothelioma, however a cure has yet to be found.

What are some of the treatments available for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- surgery.

If you are feeling any of the symptoms noted above, ensure you have it checked out early. The earlier the diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the better chance the treatments will be effective.

Alternative Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

2009-01-22T06:16:00.000+07:00

If you someday become diagnosed with skin cancer and survive, one of the most worrisome issues you will face will be preventing a recurrence of the cancer. After successful treatment, your doctor will continue to schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure that you remain skin cancer-free. Even regular medical attention is no substitute for exercising good skin care habits.

First, make sure to avoid any kind of prolonged exposure to the sun. This means that you should avoid the prime daylight hours of ten in the morning to two in the afternoon. If you must be out, always wear an appropriate sun block, and avoid direct exposure to the sun by wearing long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and light colors that help reflect the sun away from your body. Most importantly, to prevent a recurrence of skin cancer, you must conduct regular self-examinations, and consult your doctor immediately if you note any discolorations or suspicious moles or lesions.

But, that is not always enough and sometimes the unthinkable happens. So, if you are diagnosed with skin cancer you should know what your alternatives are.

The most important objective in skin cancer treatment is to eliminate the growth and then contain the spread of the cancer. There are many alternatives that will be used depending on what the diagnosis is.

Kaposis sarcoma is very serious and must be treated by the use of chemotherapy.

Melanoma, if it has spread, which is one of the dangers of this type of skin cancer, will be treated the same way once the initial growth has been removed.

If Pagets disease is the type of skin cancer that must be treated then a mastectomy is likely the only alternative.

Nutrition

What about other alternatives to ensure that there will not be a reoccurrence? Some people believe, and studies have shown some evidence to collaborate this belief, that if you use other treatments alongside the standard medical procedures there are potentially better outcomes. Nutrition is believed to be a big factor in recovery.

Research shows that using proteins, antioxidants and folic acid that are found in a variety of foods, including fish, carrots and broccoli, a person is able to potentially protect their body from further damage by the cancer cells. Vitamin C is also thought to be a very useful fighter when is comes to skin cancer and its potential spread.

Green Tea

Some people faced with the worries of skin cancer choose to get the advice of health care providers who practice medicine differently like naturopathic doctors. Often their advice is on what herbs can be used to treat the cancer. They tell you that green tea is believed by many to be a healthy drink because it contains polyphenois compounds. These are very storing antioxidants.

There is research to support this and studies have shown that polyphenois may not only prevent skin cancer but may play an important role in the treatment of diminishing skin growths. Some treatments suggest unusual action be taken like coffee enemas several times daily or castor oil intake, or restricting calories while eating lots of fruit and vegetables.

Other studies have shown that a certain enzyme that is found in a variety of foods; including, but not limited to broccoli, cauliflower, celery and cabbage are very beneficial. The enzyme those vegetables contain is called indoles. Indoles and lectins, found in beans, are a powerful combination against cancer growth. Although still in the experimental stages of research, with the high success rates of their experiments there is good reason to hope that eating foods high in these enzymes will be helpful in the fight against cancer.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action. If you still have unanswered questions about skin cancer, you may find what you're looking for in our website: http://www.skincancer-infoguide.com

What are the types of lung cancer?

2009-01-21T05:55:00.000+07:00

Lung cancers, also known as bronchogenic carcinomas (carcinoma is another term for cancer), are broadly classified into two types: small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). This classification is based upon the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells themselves. These two types of cancers grow and spread in different ways and may have different treatment options, so a distinction between these two types is important.

SCLC comprise about 20% of lung cancers and are the most aggressive and rapidly growing of all lung cancers. SCLC are strongly related to cigarette smoking, with only 1% of these tumors occurring in nonsmokers. SCLC metastasize rapidly to many sites within the body and are most often discovered after they have spread extensively. Referring to a specific cell appearance often seen when examining samples of SCLC under the microscope, these cancers are sometimes called oat cell carcinomas.

NSCLC are the most common lung cancers, accounting for about 80% of all lung cancers. NSCLC can be divided into three main types that are named based upon the type of cells found in the tumor:

Adenocarcinomas are the most commonly seen type of NSCLC in the U.S. and comprise up to 50% of NSCLC . While adenocarcinomas are associated with smoking like other lung cancers, this type is observed as well in nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. Most adenocarcinomas arise in the outer, or peripheral, areas of the lungs. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is a subtype of adenocarcinoma that frequently develops at multiple sites in the lungs and spreads along the preexisting alveolar walls.

Squamous cell carcinomas were formerly more common than adenocarcinomas; at present, they account for about 30% of NSCLC. Also known as epidermoid carcinomas, squamous cell cancers arise most frequently in the central chest area in the bronchi.

Large cell carcinomas, sometimes referred to as undifferentiated carcinomas, are the least common type of NSCLC.

Mixtures of different types of NSCLC are also seen.
Other types of cancers can arise in the lung; these types are much less common than NSCLC and SCLC and together comprise only 5%-10% of lung cancers:

Bronchial carcinoids account for up to 5% of lung cancers. These tumors are generally small (3-4 cm or less) when diagnosed and occur most commonly in people under 40 years of age. Unrelated to cigarette smoking, carcinoid tumors can metastasize, and a small proportion of these tumors secrete hormone-like substances that may cause specific symptoms related to the hormone being produced. Carcinoids generally grow and spread more slowly than bronchogenic cancers, and many are detected early enough to be amenable to surgical resection.

Cancers of supporting lung tissue such as smooth muscle, blood vessels, or cells involved in the immune response can rarely occur in the lung.
As discussed previously, metastatic cancers from other primary tumors in the body are often found in the lung. Tumors from anywhere in the body may spread to the lungs either through the bloodstream, through the lymphatic system, or directly from nearby organs. Metastatic tumors are most often multiple, scattered throughout the lung, and concentrated in the peripheral rather than central areas of the lung.

Causes Of Cancer

2009-01-20T07:43:00.002+07:00

Cancer is a deadly disease, which occurs when cells in our body start malfunctioning, i.e. dividing and forming themselves, without any control or order. Our body organs are made up of cells which normally divide or produce only when the body needs them and this process helps in keeping us healthy.

When excess cells are produced, this mass of tissue forms into a growth, called a tumor which can also be referred to as benign or malignant.

A benign tumor is not harmful as their cells do not spread to other parts of the body and can be removed surgically, whereas malignant tumors are cancerous as their cells invade and damage the tissues and organs around the area, also at times entering into the bloodstream or the lymphatic system thus causing cancer to spread and form new tumors in other parts of the body.
Causes Of Cancer

There are various types of cancer which are common in mostly middle-aged and elderly people. Amongst them is Skin cancer which is the most common type of cancer for both men and women. The next is prostate cancer, among men, and breast cancer among women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death for both while Leukemia and brain cancer are common in children and young adults.

Much research is being done to find out as to what causes cancer, and ways to prevent it. Scientist have identified many risk factors that increase the chance of getting cancer as this disease develops gradually as a result of complex mix of factors related to environment, lifestyle and heredity.

It is estimated that about 80 percent of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco products. It is also related to what we eat and drink, and to a lesser extent, the exposure to radiation in the environment and at the workplace.

The most common factor know to increase the risk of cancer is smoking tobacco, using “smokeless” tobacco and being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke without actually smoking it. Smoking, rates as the highest percentage for lung cancer deaths, depending by the number and types of cigarettes you smoke. Smokers suffer a higher risk of being exposed to other types of cancer such as oral cancer, cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney and cervix.

Chewing tobacco and snuff causes cancer of the mouth and throat. Constant exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, also called involuntary smoking, increases the risk of lung cancer for nonsmokers and can also be a leading cause for many deaths.
Foods Causing Cancer

One of the potential cancer-causing chemicals called ‘Acrylamide’, has been under scrutiny for a long time. It is a white odorless powder which has been found in many foods. It appears that the chemical is actually used in plastics and dyes, and is also a byproduct of cooking food at high temperatures.

Researchers have found this substance in significant amounts of a wide range of foods as a result of baking or frying and it is likely that when consumed it could cause cancer and neurotoxin effects to the nervous system of humans.

4 Tips On How To Lose Weight After A Pregnancy Naturally

2009-01-19T07:42:00.003+07:00

Losing weight after a pregnancy can be a difficult thing to do for some women. It is natural to want to get back to your old self as soon as possible, but if you start too soon, you can hurt yourself. Take it easy for the first couple of months. When you are ready to get back into shape here are some tips you can use to speed up the process.

Exercise when you are ready

Right after giving birth exercising too much, too soon can be damaging to your health. Start off slow like doing simple stretching and then gradually build up. You can also ask your doctor for exercises you can do, so you do not end up hurting yourself.

Eating healthy

It can take up to 9 months for your body to return to normal. Do not worry about cutting calories. Just eat 5-6 small nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.

Breast-Feeding

Breast-Feeding is a great way to lose weight. A mom who breastfeed can produce about 850ml of breast milk a day. A breast-feeding mother will have to consume about 500 extra calories a day for her newborn. Eating healthy will also give your child the nutrients they need for a good development.

Getting into a routine

About 2-3 months after giving birth you can look into doing a more intense workout. Eating healthy and working out on a consistent basis will help you lose the weight. It may not be instant, but if you work at it, you will be back to your old self again.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment and Prevention

2009-01-18T06:42:00.003+07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer. It caused by previous exposure to asbestos. An exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. Simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

The two major types of malignant mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma, which concerns the mesothelium membrane that surrounds the lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma which concerns the mesothelium layer that covers the organs in the abdominal cavity.

The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Because of this, the disease is most common in men between the ages of sixty and seventy as this is the group that commonly worked with asbestos during those years. Because of the lack of protection and regulations in those days, these workers were constantly exposed to the dust and fibres from the asbestos, which caused the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal.

Many building materials used in both public and domestic premises prior to the banning of asbestos may contain asbestos. Those performing renovation works or diy activities may expose themselves to asbestos dust.

Mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. Mesothelioma is an extremely malignant and incurable cancer that infects the membrane that surrounds most of the internal organs. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs.

Pleural mesothelioma represents 75% of mesothelioma cases - but it is far from the only type of this deadly cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines, and is just as dangerous and deadly.

Treatment of MM using conventional therapies has not proved successful and patients have a median survival time of 6 - 12 months after presentation. The clinical behaviour of the malignancy is affected by several factors including the continuous mesothelial surface of the pleural cavity

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Health-care workers who specialize in part control are employing state-of-the art techniques to successfully fight pain.

2. During the initial stages of mesothelioma, pain can be relieved with over-the-counter analgesics, such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

3. Drug therapy is the primary method for treating mesothelioma pain.

4. Non-Opoids are pain-relieving medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofin, which can be purchases over-the-counter and taken orally.

5. Opoids are the strongest medicines available to treat pain. Opoids, such as codeine, morphine, oxcodone, fentany, and hydromorphone, are very effective in relieving mesothelioma pain.

6. Adjuvant analgesics are medicines intended for purposes other than pain relief. A number of these are used to alleviate pain associated with mesothelioma, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and steroids.

7. Emotional Support to Help Relieve Pain.As with all aspects of mesothelioma, emotional support from family or professional counseling can play a key role in pain management

8. For patients with localized disease, and who can tolerate a radical surgery, radiation is often given post-operatively as a consolidative treatment.

9. Chrysotile has been used more frequently, hence many mesotheliomas are caused by chrysotile.

10. Removal is taking place in schools and other public buildings throughout the U.S. The hope is that these measures will greatly reduce the occurrence of this cancer.

What Causes Lung Cancer?

2009-01-18T01:49:00.002+07:00

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time; doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking history (the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). For example, a person who has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 10 years has a 20 pack-year smoking history. While the risk of lung cancer is increased with even a 10-pack-year smoking history, those with 30-pack-year histories or more are considered to have the greatest risk for the development of lung cancer. Among those who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day, one in seven will die of lung cancer.

Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, although the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. While someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk for the development of lung cancer that is 25 times higher than a nonsmoker, pipe and cigar smokers have a risk of lung cancer that is about five times that of a nonsmoker.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which have been shown to be cancer-causing, or carcinogenic. The two primary carcinogens in tobacco smoke are chemicals known as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases each year following smoking cessation as normal cells grow and replace damaged cells in the lung. In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a nonsmoker about 15 years after cessation of smoking.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking, or the inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers sharing living or working quarters, is also an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that nonsmokers who reside with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with other nonsmokers. An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year in the U.S. that are attributable to passive smoking.

Asbestos fibers

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, as asbestos was widely used in the past as both thermal and acoustic insulation. Today, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries, including the U.S. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura of the lung as well as of the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum) are associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking drastically increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer in exposed workers. Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a fivefold greater risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers, and those asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50 to 90 times greater than nonsmokers.

Radon gas

Radon gas is a natural, chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. Uranium decays to form products, including radon, that emit a type of ionizing radiation. Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung-cancer deaths attributable to radon gas, or 15,000-22,000 lung-cancer-related deaths annually in the U.S., making radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. As with asbestos exposure, concomitant smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer with radon exposure. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. contains dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon gas is invisible and odorless, but it can be detected with simple test kits.

Familial predisposition

While the majority of lung cancers are associated with tobacco smoking, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors, such as individual genetic susceptibility, may play a role in the causation of lung cancer. Numerous studies have shown that lung cancer is more likely to occur in both smoking and nonsmoking relatives of those who have had lung cancer than in the general population. Recent research has localized a region on the long (q) arm of human chromosome number 6 that is likely to contain a gene that confers an increased susceptibility to the development of lung cancer in smokers.

Lung diseases

The presence of certain diseases of the lung, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with an increased risk (four to six times the risk of a nonsmoker) for the development of lung cancer even after the effects of concomitant cigarette smoking are excluded.

Prior history of lung cancer

Survivors of lung cancer have a greater risk than the general population of developing a second lung cancer. Survivors of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs, see below) have an additive risk of 1%-2% per year for developing a second lung cancer. In survivors of small cell lung cancers (SCLCs, see below), the risk for development of second cancers approaches 6% per year.

Air pollution

Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air can carry a risk for the development of lung cancer similar to that of passive smoking.

Mesothelioma Facts

2009-01-17T07:41:00.002+07:00

There are different types of mesothelioma In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma; on the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; and if it develops on the heart, pericardial mesothelioma.

It develops mostly on the lungs:

The most common location for mesothelioma to develop is on the lungs. About two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases develop in the pleural mesothelium. This mesothelioma on the lungs is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The remaining cases develop in the peritoneal mesothelium in the abdomen. A tumor in the abdominal mesothelium is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other mesothelial tissue, such as on the heart or on the reproductive organs.

It may have other causes:

Although asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma, up to 30?50% of all cases are not clearly related to previous asbestos exposure. Other possible reasons include previous exposure to radiation or to particular minerals closely related to asbestos that are found in the soil. Smoking has not been shown to be a cause of mesothelioma. However, if a smoker has also been exposed to asbestos, this significantly increases his or her risk of developing other types of lung cancer.

It has a long development time:

It has a long latency period, which means that symptoms donft develop for 20?50 years after environmental exposure. The average age at which symptoms usually start to appear is around 60 years old.

It occurs more in men than in women:

Mesothelioma affects men about three times more often than women in the US. Occurrence rises gradually with age. In other parts of the world, where exposure comes primarily from other environmental sources, such as in Turkey, mesothelioma occurs about equally in men and women.

It is a rare disease:

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US. In other countries, the number of cases varies. Overall, the number of cases reported each year seems to be increasing.

Mesothelioma Cure:

Doctors and researchers are searching and working hard to find solutions pertaining to a cure for Mesothelioma but have not discovered any yet.

Malignant mesothelioma

2009-01-16T06:18:00.001+07:00

Malignant mesothelioma is a fatal asbestos-associated malignancy originating from the lining cells (mesothelium) of the pleural and peritoneal cavities, as well as the pericardium and the tunica vaginalis. The exact prevalence is unknown but it is estimated that mesotheliomas represent less than 1% of all cancers.

Its incidence is increasing, with an expected peak in the next 10-20 years. Pleural malignant mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma.

Typical presenting features are those of chest pain and dyspnoea. Breathlessness due to a pleural effusion without chest pain is reported in about 30% of patients.

A chest wall mass, weight loss, sweating, abdominal pain and ascites (due to peritoneal involvement) are less common presentations. Mesothelioma is directly attributable to occupational asbestos exposure with a history of exposure in over 90% of cases.

There is also evidence that mesothelioma may result from both para-occupational exposure and non-occupational "environmental" exposure. Idiopathic or spontaneous mesothelioma can also occur in the absence of any exposure to asbestos, with a spontaneous rate in humans of around one per million.

A combination of accurate exposure history, along with examination radiology and pathology are essential to make the diagnosis. Distinguishing malignant from benign pleural disease can be challenging.

The most helpful CT findings suggesting malignant pleural disease are 1) a circumferential pleural rind, 2) nodular pleural thickening, 3) pleural thickening of >1cm and 4) mediastinal pleural involvement. Involvement of a multidisciplinary team is recommended to ensure prompt and appropriate management, using a framework of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and symptom palliation with end of life care.

Compensation issues must also be considered. Life expectancy in malignant mesothelioma is poor, with a median survival of about one year following diagnosis.

How common is lung cancer?

2009-01-15T05:41:00.004+07:00

Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer deaths in both men and women throughout the world. The American Cancer Society estimates that 215,020 new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. will be diagnosed and 161,840 deaths due to lung cancer will occur in 2008. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, approximately one out of every 14 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer of the lung or airways at some point in their lifetime.

Lung cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly; almost 70% of people diagnosed with the condition are over 65 years of age, while less than 3% of cases occur in people under age 45.

Lung cancer was not common prior to the 1930s but increased dramatically over the following decades as tobacco smoking increased. In many developing countries, the incidence of lung cancer is beginning to fall following public education about the dangers of cigarette smoking and effective smoking-cessation programs. Nevertheless, lung cancer remains among the most common types of cancers in both men and women worldwide.

Lung cancer has also surpassed breast cancer in causing the most cancer-related deaths in women in the United States.

Alternative Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

2009-01-14T01:53:00.002+07:00

First, make sure to avoid any kind of prolonged exposure to the sun. This means that you should avoid the prime daylight hours of ten in the morning to two in the afternoon. If you must be out, always wear an appropriate sun block, and avoid direct exposure to the sun by wearing long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and light colors that help reflect the sun away from your body. Most importantly, to prevent a recurrence of skin cancer, you must conduct regular self-examinations, and consult your doctor immediately if you note any discolorations or suspicious moles or lesions.

But, that is not always enough and sometimes the unthinkable happens. So, if you are diagnosed with skin cancer you should know what your alternatives are.

The most important objective in skin cancer treatment is to eliminate the growth and then contain the spread of the cancer. There are many alternatives that will be used depending on what the diagnosis is.

Kaposis sarcoma is very serious and must be treated by the use of chemotherapy.

Melanoma, if it has spread, which is one of the dangers of this type of skin cancer, will be treated the same way once the initial growth has been removed.

If Pagets disease is the type of skin cancer that must be treated then a mastectomy is likely the only alternative.

Nutrition
What about other alternatives to ensure that there will not be a reoccurrence? Some people believe, and studies have shown some evidence to collaborate this belief, that if you use other treatments alongside the standard medical procedures there are potentially better outcomes. Nutrition is believed to be a big factor in recovery.

Research shows that using proteins, antioxidants and folic acid that are found in a variety of foods, including fish, carrots and broccoli, a person is able to potentially protect their body from further damage by the cancer cells. Vitamin C is also thought to be a very useful fighter when is comes to skin cancer and its potential spread.

Green Tea
Some people faced with the worries of skin cancer choose to get the advice of health care providers who practice medicine differently like naturopathic doctors. Often their advice is on what herbs can be used to treat the cancer. They tell you that green tea is believed by many to be a healthy drink because it contains polyphenois compounds. These are very storing antioxidants.

There is research to support this and studies have shown that polyphenois may not only prevent skin cancer but may play an important role in the treatment of diminishing skin growths. Some treatments suggest unusual action be taken like coffee enemas several times daily or castor oil intake, or restricting calories while eating lots of fruit and vegetables.

Other studies have shown that a certain enzyme that is found in a variety of foods; including, but not limited to broccoli, cauliflower, celery and cabbage are very beneficial. The enzyme those vegetables contain is called indoles. Indoles and lectins, found in beans, are a powerful combination against cancer growth. Although still in the experimental stages of research, with the high success rates of their experiments there is good reason to hope that eating foods high in these enzymes will be helpful in the fight against cancer.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action. If you still have unanswered questions about skin cancer, you may find what you're looking for in our website: http://www.skincancer-infoguide.com

Malignant Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy

2009-01-13T13:46:00.001+07:00

Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.

External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. This type of radiation therapy is the preferred type to treat mesothelioma. These treatments are much like getting a diagnostic x-ray except for a longer time. A typical course of treatment takes anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks of daily treatments (5 days a week). In general, though, mesothelioma is not helped much by radiotherapy because it is relatively resistant to the effects of radiotherapy. Also, the need to treat a large part of the lung leads to problems with lung damage.

Brachytherapy places radioactive material directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. It is seldom used for this cancer.

Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery.

Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.

Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and mild skin changes that resemble sunburn. Often these side effects are temporary. Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, talk with your doctor since there are ways to help control these symptoms.

If fluid collects in the pleural space, radioactive drugs can be put into the space after the fluids are removed. Sometimes they are successful in preventing the fluid from coming back.

8 Quick Tips Eating Out on a Diet

2009-01-13T06:59:00.001+07:00

Did you know the average restaurant meal contains more than 1,000 calories? Even breakfast fare such as pancakes, waffles, and French toast, served in restaurant-sized portions can contain as many as 900 calories. And studies show that kids eat nearly twice as many calories when eating a restaurant meal compared with eating a meal cooked and served at home...

With all these extra calories, it's easy to sabotage your diet. Plus, we all want to get our money's worth and because we're often paying a lot more for food served at a restaurant, we may use the prices themselves as justification for cleaning the plate.

The truth is, you don't have to sacrifice flavor and nutrition when you are treating yourself to a night out. Just follow these simple guidelines.

Be wary of your drinking glass. It's easy to consume vast quantities of empty calories through a straw. A large Coke at McDonalds has more than 300 calories. And when we are sitting in a restaurant, we often find our drinks refilled over and over. The bar is no better: A pint of beer will give you about 150 calories. And a glass of dry wine will contribute 100 or so, while a jumbo margarita can get up in the 400-calorie range. You can save lots of calories (and a few dollars, too) by opting for unsweetened iced tea, a diet soft drink, or simply water with lemon or lime wedges.

Skip the appetizers. Some of these pre-meal splurges contain more fat and calories than the entree. And many appetizers are deep fried and served with rich and heavy sauces. An order of cheese fries with Ranch dressing can exceed 3,000 calories, for example. Cut this part of the meal altogether.

Go for a salad. Replace those fatty appetizers with a pre-meal salad. Fill up on the good stuff before the main meal begins and you will eat fewer calories by meal's end. And be careful not to ruin the healthy salad. Skip the Caesar option because Caesar salads are often saturated with creamy dressing. If there's an option between spinach and iceberg, choose the former. Make sure that you ask for no cheese or croutons (or remove them once the salad arrives at your table.) Opt for a vinegar-based dressing if possible. If you love Ranch or Bleu Cheese, order it on the side, and try dipping your fork into the dressing before each bite. That will give you a nice distribution of flavor and you might be surprised by how little dressing you have used once your salad plate is clear.

When choosing your entree, opt for something that has been grilled or broiled, not fried. You'll save fat grams and calories, and you'll also eat fewer of those unhealthy trans fats.

Ask your waiter or waitress to replace the starch with a second order of vegetables. You'll save on calories and get another serving of the good stuff.

Skip the cream. When ordering soup, opt for clear soups instead of cream soups. When ordering sauces, choose the tomato-based sauce over the creamy one. You'll save even more calories if you ask for all sauces to be served on the side.

When the meal comes, split it. Make a mental line down the center of your plate and stop eating once you've reached the halfway point, if not before. If you have a hard time quitting when it's time, ask for a takeout container at the beginning of your meal and remove half the meal from your plate before you even begin eating.

If you can't skip dessert altogether, choose fresh fruit or another low calorie treat. Many restaurants are offering at least one or two dessert choices that are lower in fat or calories. Give these a try. Or simply order one dessert for the entire table and make a point to eat very, very slowly. Before you know it, the dessert will be gone and so will all that temptation. And here's food for thought: Have you ever noticed that it's the first three bites of any big indulgence that we truly enjoy: way more than we enjoy subsequent bites? So take a few nibbles and truly enjoy them. Then put down your spoon. Order a cup of coffee (with some skim milk) if you still need a little something to cap your meal.

Many restaurants are offering more healthy choices than ever before, so it is becoming easier to stick to a healthy diet and have an enjoyable dining experience, as well.

What is Cancer of The Lung

2009-01-12T05:24:00.003+07:00

Cancer of the lung, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body's basic unit of life, the cell. Normally, the body maintains a system of checks and balances on cell growth so that cells divide to produce new cells only when needed. Disruption of this system of checks and balances on cell growth results in an uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells that eventually forms a mass known as a tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant; when we speak of "cancer," we refer to those tumors that are considered malignant. Benign tumors can usually be removed and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow aggressively and invade other tissues of the body, allowing entry of tumor cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and then to other sites in the body. This process of spread is termed metastasis; the areas of tumor growth at these distant sites are called metastases. 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, certain organs -- particularly the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone -- are the most common sites for lung-cancer metastasis.

The lung is also a very common site for metastasis from tumors in other parts of the body. Tumor metastases are made up of the same type of cells as the original, or primary, tumor. For example, if prostate cancer spreads via the bloodstream to the lungs, it is metastatic prostate cancer in the lung and is not lung cancer.

The principal function of the lungs is the exchange of gases between the air we breathe and the blood. Through the lung, carbon dioxide is removed from the bloodstream and oxygen from inspired air enters the bloodstream. The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung is divided into two lobes and a small structure called the lingula that is the equivalent of the middle lobe. The major airways entering the lungs are the bronchi, which arise from the trachea. The bronchi branch into progressively smaller airways called bronchioles that end in tiny sacs known as alveoli where gas exchange occurs. The lungs and chest wall are covered with a thin layer of tissue called the pleura.

Lung cancers can arise in any part of the lung, but 90%-95% of cancers of the lung are thought to arise from the epithelial, or lining cells of the larger and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles); for this reason, lung cancers are sometimes called bronchogenic carcinomas or bronchogenic cancers. Cancers can also arise from the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs), called mesotheliomas, or rarely from supporting tissues within the lungs, for example, blood vessels.

Skin Cancer

2009-01-11T01:37:00.003+07:00

Every year nearly one million people in the United States learn that they have skin cancer according to the National Cancer Institute. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, Australia and South Africa. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in both men and women.

The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. (Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ.) Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. It's a slow growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely spreads, but it does more often than basal cell carcinoma. It is important that skin cancers be found and treated early because they can invade and destroy nearby tissue. Basal Cell Carcinoma occurs from sun exposure and it occurs occurs many years after exposure.

Another type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma, which begins in the melanocytes.

Cause and Prevention

Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily -- often those with red or blonde hair and blue or light-colored eyes.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. (Two types of ultraviolet radiation -- UVA and UVB. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sun lamps and tanning booths, tanning beds can also cause skin cancer.

The risk of developing skin cancer is affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that get high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to get skin cancer. In the United States, for example, skin cancer is more common in Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong. Worldwide, the highest rates of skin cancer are found in South Africa and Australia, areas that receive high amounts of UV radiation.

In addition, skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation. Most skin cancers appear after age 45, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. So, protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life.

Whenever possible, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. standard time, or from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daylight saving time). Keep in mind that protective clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun's harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreens can protect the skin. Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF), which ranges from 2 to 30 or higher. Those rated 15 to 30 block most of the sun's harmful rays.

Symptoms

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn't heal. Skin cancers don't all look the same. For example, the cancer may start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. Or it can appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust. Skin cancer can also start as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly.

Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun -- the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. However, skin cancer can occur anywhere. Don't wait for something on your skin to hurt as skin cancer rarely causes pain.

Diagnosis

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are generally diagnosed and treated in the same way. When an area of skin does not look normal, the doctor may remove all or part of the growth. This is called a biopsy. To check for cancer cells, the tissue is examined under a microscope by a pathologist or a dermatologist. A biopsy is the only sure way to tell if the problem is cancer.

Treatment

In treating skin cancer, the doctor's main goal is to remove or destroy the cancer completely with as small a scar as possible. To plan the best treatment for each patient, the doctor considers the location and size of the cancer, the risk of scarring, and the person's age, general health, and medical history. Doctors commonly use a type of surgery called curettage. After a local anesthetic numbs the area, the cancer is scooped out with a curette, an instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped end. The area is also treated by electrodesiccation. An electric current from a special machine is used to control bleeding and kill any cancer cells remaining around the edge of the wound. Most patients develop a flat, white scar.

Cryosurgery

Extreme cold may be used to treat pre-cancerous skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis, as well as certain small skin cancers. In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth to freeze and kill the abnormal cells. After the area thaws, the dead tissue falls off. More than one freezing may be needed to remove the growth completely. Cryosurgery usually does not hurt too much and patients may have pain and swelling after the area thaws. A white scar may form in the treated area.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses a narrow beam of light to remove or destroy cancer cells. This approach is sometimes used for cancers that involve only the outer layer of skin.
How To Do a Skin Self-Exam

You can improve your chances of finding skin cancer promptly by performing a simple skin self-exam regularly. The best time to do this self-exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a well lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new -- a change in the size, texture, or color of a mole, or a sore that does not heal.
Check all areas, including the back, the scalp, between the buttocks, and the genital area.

1. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides.

2. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms; forearms, including the undersides; and the upper arms.

3. Examine the back and front of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around your genital area.

4. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the soles and the spaces between the toes.

5. Look at your face, neck, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better.

By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal. If you find anything unusual, see your health care provider right away. Remember, the earlier skin cancer is found, the better the chance for cure.

The Metabolic Syndrome

2009-01-10T17:48:00.001+07:00

If you have answered three or more of these with a yes answer you may have the Metabolic Syndrome.

Do you find yourself having trouble losing weight even with exercise and, for all intents and purposes, watching what you eat? I suspect that you have been told to eat a low fat, high carbohydrate diet and you have done that. So why is there still a problem? You probably have thought of every possible reason for your lack of success. You may have thought that your thyroid gland is not working properly or your metabolism has slowed down: probably not. Possibly your hormone levels are off or maybe you need to step up your exercise program, or maybe you need one of these more dramatic diets to go on: not likely. That sounded like me and how I was thinking.

Normal Energy Production And Storage
You may or may not have been aware of something called The Metabolic Syndrome. What is it, you may ask? Allow me to give you a little background of basic information before I define this syndrome.

Our bodies need fuel for energy just like any machine. Sugar is that source. We need to get down to the cellular level where this energy production actually occurs. Glucose is the sugar utilized by the cell for the production of energy in the furnaces of our cells, which are called mitochondria. The entry of glucose into the cells is facilitated by the hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. This hormone also will drive glucose into muscle and the liver for storage in a more complex form called glycogen.

This will be used as a source of energy at other times such as periods of starvation and exercise. Any amounts over and above normal usage for immediate energy and storage in liver and muscle are sent to fat cells for greater storage of energy sources.

There is an opposing hormone, glucagon, which is also produced in the pancreas and is responsible for releasing fat for energy when stimulated by the intake of protein. The intake of carbohydrates and excessive levels of insulin suppress it.
Normally these hormones work in conjunction with each other maintaining a balanced situation of energy substrates utilization and storage. Situations such as dieting, starvation, exercise and the Metabolic Syndrome will alter this balance.

Glycemic Index
Whenever we ingest sugar or carbohydrates our bodies react with a rise in the blood sugar inducing the secretion of insulin to get the sugar into our cells and produce energy and store the excess in muscle, the liver, and eventually, fat. The Glycemic Index is a measurement of the rate of the rise of blood sugar following the ingestion of a particular test food relative to that of a standard food such as glucose. The measurement for glucose is 100. This index will quantitate the rate of secretion of insulin. Under 55 is generally considered to be a low-glycemic food and over 70 is high-glycemic.

Low GI = 55 or less
Medium GI = 56 - 69
High GI = 70 or more

Our diet today is mainly composed of over-processed carbohydrates in the form of our modern-day flour. This flour is the result of removing all of its complex components, leaving us with a pure, super-fine white powder that, when ingested, causes our blood sugar to rise rapidly to higher than normal levels. This leads to an exaggerated insulin response. This rapid rise in insulin will cause blood sugar levels to drop precipitously to relatively low levels, lower than normal, causing drowsiness, and fatigue.

The subsequent rebound also results in a desire to eat again to restore blood sugar levels. Long term this becomes an uncontrollable craving for carbohydrates. This roller coaster effect occurring over and over, leads to carbohydrate addiction, carbohydrate craving, nighttime eating, insulin resistance, and the beginning of the Metabolic Syndrome. These high insulin levels also shut off the glucagon response and leave no way that fat can be utilized as a source of energy. This is when weight gain occurs and weight loss becomes almost impossible.

Eventually, this syndrome will cause inflammation and narrowing of the small arteries going to the muscles of your body causing them to constrict. This leads to a decreased ability of insulin to deliver glucose to the muscles for use and storage. Insulin levels will then increase significantly to try and accomplish this task but, eventually, most of the glucose will be diverted to fat cells causing what is called insulin resistance. Glucagon is totally shut off at this point.

Some of the other effects of the Metabolic Syndrome are high blood pressure, increased triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and decreased HDL, all leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This Syndrome has been said to occur in about 20-25% of the population. A significant portion of this group will go from insulin resistance to full blown Diabetes as the Metabolic Syndrome causes a burn-out of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This is also one of the reasons why we are seeing a lot more obesity and diabetes, especially in our young. It is getting to epidemic proportions.

Low-Glycemic Response
There is hope! There is an answer. It is called a low glycemic diet. This must be considered a lifestyle change, not a temporary eating habit. Traditional diets do not work because they are designed to be an acute solution to a chronic problem. Also the faster one loses weight, generally, the faster it comes back. The chances of losing up to 10% of your total body weight and keeping it off for 5 years is the same as the 5 year survival rate for cancer of the lung, 5%. This is a very sobering statistic. You will find that it may, and should, take 18-24 months for you to achieve your end results.

You should set short-term goals along the way. I have actually chosen to let my body decide what its end-point will be and take as long as it needs to get there since my program also involves exercising, which yours should too.

You need to understand that this syndrome is reversible with time while the alternative of not making this change is diabetes, which is never reversible. Remember, if you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten.

When an individual eats a low-glycemic meal there is a totally different metabolic response. Eating foods such as fruits, vegetables, good carbs that do not cause a rapid rise of your blood sugar, good protein and fat is the answer. The whites are out: the white breads, the white potato, and the white rice. Even most whole wheat bread is not our friend. It cannot be enriched wheat flour; it must be stone ground.

These types of carbs will allow a slow rise of blood sugar, leading to a more modest release of insulin balanced with a proper release of glucagon. The insulin encourages the muscle to take up the sugar and the rest goes to the liver and fat. On the other hand, glucagon is also present in normal levels and will break down the fat, at about the same rate it is created, initially at a greater rate. The result of this equation is no weight gain or possible weight loss. Even if you have the Metabolic Syndrome, the start of a low glycemic lifestyle, not diet, may allow a reversal of all of the bad effects of this syndrome. Eventually, exercise must become a part of this healthy lifestyle.

Conclusions
So how do we summarize this complex bit of information and put it into a useful tool that is easy to follow. First of all, how badly do you want the results, the goals that you set? If the goal is important enough the work will follow and you will accomplish it. Remember that the Metabolic Syndrome is reversible with time, and Diabetes is never reversible.

Here are some general guidelines to follow. Low glycemic food will not raise your blood sugar as high and as rapidly as high glycemic foods will and, at the same time, will start to increase your body sensitivity to insulin. Low glycemic diets will help you to lose weight, help those who already have diabetes maintain better control of their blood sugar. Low glycemic foods will help you to stay full longer. Finally, high glycemic foods may replenish carbohydrate stores after exercise but low glycemic foods will improve physical endurance.

Foods that have a low glycemic index generally had a low glycemic load. Eliminate foods with both high glycemic indexes and high glycemic loads. Optimize your insulin levels by eating fruits and vegetables and whole grains. The fiber in these foods will both be healthy and release sugar into your bloodstream slowly.

I want to reiterate for you that I have changed my lifestyle to low-glycemic index, low glycemic load and have seen a significant change in myself. I am not hungry all the time anymore. I am free of carbohydrate addiction and cravings. I can actually sit in front of the TV at night or read a book and not have a high-glycemic snack next to me. I have not been doing it long enough to get off all of my meds but I see that in the near future and I recently was able to reduce my high blood pressure medication. Remember, getting healthy is a process and this is just one of the steps. It is not about what has happened to me, but I do know this can work for you.

I am not saying that this is the lifestyle change that you have to make, but if you see yourself in a similar situation, take a good look. Obviously you will need to discuss this with your doctor and see if it is a fit for you. You should also work out a program with your personal physician to regularly check your labs, weight, and blood pressure. Remember, if you continue doing what you are doing, you will continue to have what you have. If you want to make some changes in your life, you must make some changes in your life. I wish you success and good health.

Breast Cancer Risk and Risk Factors

2009-01-09T13:54:00.002+07:00

By now you may be familiar with the statistic that says 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Many people misinterpret this to mean that, on any given day, they and the women they know have a 1-in-8 risk of developing the disease. That’s simply not true.

In reality, about 1 in 8 women in the United States — or 13%, or 13 out of every 100 — can expect to develop breast cancer over the course of an entire lifetime. In the U.S., an average lifetime is about 80 years. So, it’s more accurate to say that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. who reach the age of 80 can expect to develop breast cancer. In each decade of life, the risk of getting breast cancer is actually lower than 13% for most women.

People tend to have very different ways of viewing risk. For you, a 1-in-8 lifetime risk may seem like a high likelihood of getting breast cancer. Or you may turn this around and reason that there is a 7-in-8, or 87.5%, chance you will never get breast cancer, even if you live to age 80. How you view risk often depends on your individual situation — for example, whether you or many women you know have had breast cancer, or you have reason to believe you are at higher-than-normal risk for the disease — and your usual way of looking at the world.

Even though studies have found that women have a 13% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, your individual risk may be higher or lower than that. Individual risk is affected by many different factors, such as family history, reproductive history, lifestyle, environment, and others.

This section is designed to help you better understand breast cancer risk and some of the factors that can increase risk.

Historical Background Of Health Insurance

2009-01-08T20:50:00.000+07:00

A brief history of health insurance coverage reveals that in the aftermath of World War II, the US government sought to provide maximum benefits to the populations in her efforts to reduce the burden otherwise incurred on rise in wages. This policy continued for a number of years, until the introduction of relevant laws in 1950 to provide Medicare for the needy populations of the state.

This was also the first time that the government participated in any form of financing health care on behalf of the populations, and this was accomplished through direct payment to the various health care providers including doctors, physicians and hospitals.
The U.S Government Played A Vital Role In Introducing Health Care Insurance

The US government also introduced the famous "Medical Assistance to the Aged" legislation in the decade of 1960s, opening doors of medical assistance and other health care services to the elderly and poor populations though putting restrictions on the extent of medical expenses.

This was followed by the passage of legislation for the establishment of 'Medicare and Medicaid Programs' in 1965 making a part of the Social Security Act. Responsibilities of these programs was entrusted to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, all of who are presently covered under a single department of Health and Human Services.

The Medicare program was however run by the Social Security Administration, while the Medicaid program was run by the Social and Rehabilitation Service. Both these areas were then transferred to the newly formed Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as of year 1977, and renamed again as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Preparing For Pregnancy

2009-01-08T13:33:00.005+07:00

Almost every woman is blessed with the capacity to bear a child at least once in her lifetime. It is considered to be one of the greatest gifts that a woman can give her husband. Bearing a child would make the couple more closer together, and at this certain point in their lives they can actually call themselves a family. Upon learning that the woman is pregnant, most couples enthusiastically start planning for her pregnancy and eventual childbirth.

When talking about pregnancy, it is important to know about preconception issues regarding on giving birth. A check up with the physician or midwife would be advisable for the woman in order to face facts on childbirth. Physical preparation is needed for giving birth, since this could really change the normal function of the woman's body. A caregiver would be helpful in preparing the woman's body in conceiving, and also impart information concerning potential problems in pregnancy. Anxiety is felt at this point, since the woman would really have to follow certain precautions in order to conceive a healthy baby. By seeking advice regarding on preconception, safety, lifestyle changes, prenatal vitamins, and the importance of folic acid, the woman could really prepare for giving birth.

In preparing for pregnancy, a change in the woman's lifestyle is needed. Smoking cigarettes is a definite no-no, and also the consumption of alcohol. These addictions can affect the health of both the woman and her unborn baby. A woman might need to lose or gain weight, according to her present weight relative to her height and build. Being too fat or too thin might bring complications for both the woman and the baby. A good start in preparing for childbirth would be to establish a fitness regime for the period of the pregnancy. Asking the physician about nutrition and working out would be recommended for possible questions regarding exercise and food intake.

Learning more about the woman's body while on the early stages of giving birth is essential for proper knowledge of the situation. Various parts of a woman's body have specific roles when it comes to pregnancy. Certain disorders from both prospective parents should be discussed with the physician for additional health background information. Anxiety and stress is also felt by the couple since this is a very critical stage for the woman. Preconception stress is normal in women about to give birth, considering factors such as scheduling, sexuality, and self esteem, among many others.

When preparing for pregnancy, the couple should be confident enough to know how to handle a child. Knowledge of early pregnancy symptoms are also important since these are signs that giving birth would happen in due time. When the couple feels that they are ready, then a visit to the Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OBGYN) would help in gleaning more information on pregnancy. At this point, the couple can make use of a pregnancy calendar in order to follow the due course of giving birth.
Anxiety is often felt by women when they know that they are pregnant. Feelings of worry and tension are usual signs that shows her being anxious about giving birth. But by spending time with your husband, regular visits to the OBGYN, finding time to relax and unwind, with good exercise, anxiety should not be a problem at all. All you have to worry about is what to name the baby?

Breast Cancer Statistics

2009-01-06T20:48:00.002+07:00

Breast cancer incidence in women in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%).
In 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 67,770 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.

About 1,990 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2008. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases occur in men.
From 2001 to 2004, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. decreased by 3.5% per year. One theory is that this decrease was due to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by women after the results of a large study, called the Women’s Health Initiative, were published in 2002. These results suggested a connection between HRT and increased breast cancer risk.

About 40,480 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2008 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.

For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer besides lung cancer.

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. More than 1 in 4 cancers are breast cancer.

Compared to African American women, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but less likely to die of it. One possible reason is that African American women tend to have more aggressive tumors, although why this is the case is not known. Women of other ethnic backgrounds — Asian, Hispanic, and Native American — have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer than white women and African American women.

As of 2008, there are about 2.5 million women in the U.S. who have survived breast cancer.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.
About 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father.

Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they often are diagnosed at a younger age (before age 50). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations. Men with a BRCA1 mutation have a 1% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70 and a 6% risk when they have a BRCA2 mutation.

About 90% of breast cancers are due not to heredity, but to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general.
The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

Chemotherapy Mesothelioma

2008-12-30T13:39:00.001+07:00

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs for treating cancer. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body (through the whole system) to reach and destroy the cancer cells.

To treat mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity) or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Based on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant treatment (treatment given in addition to the primary treatment) to surgery. Chemotherapy for this disease is palliative and not curative.

Several chemotherapy drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The preferred combination of drugs for now is pemetrexed (Alimta), which is combined with cisplatin. Because pemetrexed interferes with normal metabolism of folic acid and vitamin B12, these must also be given to avoid side effects. Another combination that has a good response rate is cisplatin and gemcitabine. Another option substitutes cisplatin with carboplatin, which causes much less nausea and vomiting.

Other combinations of drugs used to treat mesothelioma include:

methotrexate and vincristine
cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin
cisplatin and doxorubicin
doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide), and cisplatin
All the drugs above can be given alone in people who may not be able to tolerate two drugs. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.

A new, related drug called raltitrexed has also been shown to help patients with mesothelioma when given with cisplatin. Patients who received these drugs lived longer than those who received cisplatin alone.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, your doctor will pay careful attention to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores.

Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells); bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood; platelets); or fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts).

Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy. For example, you can be given drugs to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.

More sex, less stress

2008-12-29T05:38:00.001+07:00

Yoga? Yawn. Research shows a great way to ward off anxiety is by connecting in bed. Grab your partner and feel tension slip away.

Stress affects me just as much as the next woman. I break out. I become short-tempered. And, of course, I reach for the nearest chocolate. But worry never seems to rock my sex life.

Or it didn’t, until a few months ago, when an unusually large number of looming deadlines began to curb my once unshakable libido. My husband, Steve, and I were under constant pressure, and at bedtime, I was so not in the mood. Steve’s blasé reaction to my refusal showed he wasn’t either. After two weeks without action (a long time for us), I began to worry.

“The grind” used to be what we did every night. Now it had become the definition of our days. They say stress kills, and I would argue that it’s true, especially when it comes to sex drive.

“Stress makes you tired, distracted and unmotivated to do anything, much less have sex,” says Laura Berman, Ph.D., director of the Berman Center for women’s sexual health in Chicago. “When a woman is stressed, the hormonal changes in her body trigger a chemical reaction causing sex hormone–binding globulin to bind with testosterone cells, so they’re unavailable for libido and sexual response.”

And, in a pattern familiar to many women, sexlessness due to stress makes you more tense and even less sexual. Furthermore, a study at the University of Gottingen in Germany found that people who do it less often tend to take on more work to compensate for their frustration. And the increased labor results in—you guessed it—even less sex.

Call it a catch-69, the cruel irony that a proven cure for stress — a hot sex life — is exactly what stress destroys. Connecting with a partner (and I mean physically) is a balm for the body.

“Being in an intimate relationship correlates to healing faster, getting sick less often and living longer,” says James Coan, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. “Good relationships offset tension in daily life.” Anxiety spikes blood pressure, which hobbles the immune system. “But when you have sex, you release feel-good hormones, including oxytocin and endorphins,” Coan adds. Eventually, you begin to associate your partner with those positive feelings, and he becomes someone you trust to be your soother during tough times.

All this had me scratching my head, wondering, Can a relationship be “good” without good sex? Or is sex the glue?

“If the sex is satisfying, it’s one part of a larger relationship,” Berman says. “But if your sex life isn’t working, the entire relationship is vulnerable to distancing, infidelity and a breakup. Sex eases anger. When we connect physically, we cut our partners slack. But when there’s no sexual connection, you get angrier quicker. Feeling angry, you’re less likely to want sex. Before long, you’re not having it at all and the relationship frays. Over time, it will crumble.”

No two ways about it: Despite how overwhelmed we felt, Steve and I were going to have to rebooty our sex life to save our health, our state of mind and perhaps even our relationship. I suggested a four-week experiment: We would have sex every time we felt stressed. Steve wasn’t sure prescribing contact could cure my anxiety, but he agreed to try. I think the notion of a calm wife appealed to him even more than imagining the pleasure to come.

Week 1: getting started
First step: more kissing, hugging and cuddling. Indeed, simply holding hands can allay stress, Coan’s research shows.

“We asked women to lie in an MRI scanner to measure brain response to an electrical shock — first when holding a stranger’s hand and then holding their husband’s hand,” he says. I contemplate why anyone would even choose to be electrically shocked. “The shocks were mild. Like walking across the carpet and touching a doorknob. We wanted to observe the response to anticipatory stress—a good comparison to everyday anxiety—so we gave them a warning, saying, ‘In 4 to 12 seconds, you might get a shock.’”

The results: When holding her husband’s hand, women showed a significantly reduced stress response in the brain compared with holding a stranger’s hand. And those in happy relationships “showed the least stress response,” Coan says.

Kissing and hugging, too, alleviate daily anxiety. Berman’s research found that unaffectionate couples report more stress and depression than their cuddling counterparts, and pairs who smooch a lot are eight times less likely to be tense or depressed. The best way to stay connected and stress-free, scientists believe, is to keep the touching going, especially during rocky times.

I got my first chance to test the power of the pucker soon after beginning the experiment. The cat spilled water on my keyboard, and whenever I hit the space bar, the letter b appeared onscreen. On deadline, I desperately needed my space! I felt like crying. Instead, I found Steve in the living room and flung myself at him. Canoodling didn’t magically repair my keyboard. (I found an old one in the basement.) But the kissing did soothe.

How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Treated

2008-12-27T13:35:00.001+07:00

This information represents the views of the doctors and nurses serving on the American Cancer Society's Cancer Information Database Editorial Board. These views are based on their interpretation of studies published in medical journals, as well as their own professional experience.

The treatment information in this document is not official policy of the Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask him or her questions about your treatment options.

If you have mesothelioma, your cancer care team will recommend one or more treatment options for you to consider. This is an important decision and you should take time to think about all of your choices.

In addition to the stage of the cancer, your health and your personal preferences are factors in deciding on a treatment plan. Because mesothelioma is such a rare cancer, it has been difficult for doctors to compare the value of different treatments. Only a few large clinical trials have been reported to date. In addition, most doctors have little or no experience treating this disease. They usually refer patients with this cancer to specialists who treat a large number of mesothelioma patients in large medical centers.

Another problem with treating mesothelioma is that it does not grow as a single tumor mass. It tends to spread along nearby surfaces, nerves, and blood vessels. Because of this it is almost impossible, except in rare situations, to completely get rid of it with surgery, radiation or both.

Because treatment has resulted in modest benefit, you may question the treatment options suggested. It is often a good idea to seek a second opinion. A second opinion can provide more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan that you choose. Also, some insurance companies require a second opinion before they will agree to pay for certain treatments

EYE TUMORS

2008-12-24T11:37:00.001+07:00

TOPICS:
• CHOROIDAL HEMANGIOMA
• CHOROIDAL MELANOMA
• CHOROIDAL METASTASIS
• CHOROIDAL NEVUS
• CONJUCTIVAL TUMORS
• EYELID TUMORS
• IRIS TUMORS
• LYMPHOMA/LEUKEMIA
• MELANOCYTOMA
• ORBITAL TUMORS

Choroidal Hemangioma

A hemangioma is a tumor comprised of blood vessels and can grow within the choroid, the blood vessel layer beneath the retina. Choroidal hemangiomas are not cancers and never metastasize. However, if the hemangioma is located in the area of central vision of the eye it can leak fluid that causes a retinal detachment and visual function may be affected.
Many choroidal hemangiomas can be safely monitored by your eye doctor without the need of further treatment. Photographs can be used to document evidence of growth or leakage and the need for treatment. Treatment options may include photodynamic therapy, laser photocoagulation to decrease the amount of fluid leakage, or low doses of external beam radiation therapy.

Choroidal Melanoma

Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular (occurring inside the eye) tumor in adults. It arises from the pigmented cells of the choroid of the eye and is not a tumor that started somewhere else and spread to the eye.
A choroidal melanoma is malignant, meaning that the cancer may metastasize and eventually spread to other parts of the body. Because choroidal melanoma is intraocular and not usually visible, patients with this disease often do not recognize its presence until the tumor grows to a size that impairs vision by obstruction, retinal detachment, hemorrhage, or other complication. Pain is unusual, except with large tumors. Periodic retinal examination through a dilated pupil is the best means of early detection.

Cutting out the tumor and leaving the rest of the eye is not routinely advised for this type of cancer. Opening the eye during surgery would allow the tumor cells to float around into the spaces around the eye, which could spread cancer cells to other parts of the eye. In addition, some studies have shown that up to 50% of choroidal melanomas invade the sclera. Therefore if the tumor is removed from the eye there is a high possibility that cancer cells will remain within the sclera. Lastly, many eyes do not tolerate this procedure and severe complications may occur such as detachments of the retina, hemorrhages, and recurrence of the tumor which may result in having to remove the eye anyway.

Treatment recommendations for choroidal melanoma usually are based on the size of the tumor. Small suspicious melanomas usually are closely watched for evidence of growth before treatment is recommended. Medium-size tumors may be treated with either radioactive plaque therapy or enucleation (removal) of the eye. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS), supported by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, has documented equal success rates for plaque radiation therapy or enucleation for preventing the spread of cancer. Large-size tumors usually are best treated by enucleation. This is because the amount of radiation required to treat the tumor is too much for the eye to tolerate. The COMS study found no benefit to large-size tumor patients having radiation therapy prior to enucleation.

Choroidal Metastasis

Malignant tumors from other parts of the body can spread in and around the eye. Metastatic cancers that appear in the eye usually come from a primary cancer of the breast in women and the lungs in men. Other, less common, sites of origin include the prostate, kidneys, thyroid, and the gastrointestinal tract. Blood cell tumors (lymphomas and leukemia) also can spread to the eye. The care of patients with metastasis to the eye should be coordinated between the eye cancer specialist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, external beam radiation therapy, or, more rarely, enucleation.

Choroidal Nevus

Like a raised freckle on the skin, a nevus can occur inside the eye. And, like a skin nevus, a choroidal freckle can become malignant, so should be closely monitored. A choroidal nevus should be examined by an ophthalmologist every four to six months to check if the pigmentation or size of the nevus has changed. In most cases, the only treatment recommended is close observation and monitoring by an ocular oncologist.

Conjunctival Tumors

Conjunctival tumors are malignant cancers that grow on the outer surface of the eye. The most common types of conjunctival tumors are squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and lymphoma. Squamous cell carcinomas rarely metastasize, but can invade the area around the eye into the orbit and sinuses. Malignant melanomas can start as a nevus (freckle) or can arise as newly formed pigmentation. Lymphoma of the eye can be a sign of systemic lymphoma or be confined to the conjunctiva.
Both squamous cell carcinomas and malignant conjunctival melanomas should be removed. Most small conjunctival tumors can be photographed and followed for evidence of growth prior to treatment. Small tumors can be completely removed surgically. In other instances cryotherapy (freezing therapy) may be necessaryor chemotherapy eye drops may be used to treat the entire surface of the eye.

Eyelid Tumors

Tumors of the eyelid may be benign cysts, inflammation, or malignant skin cancers. The most common type of eyelid cancer is basal cell carcinoma. Most basal cell carcinomas can be removed with surgery. If left untreated, these tumors can grow around the eye and into the orbit, sinuses and brain. A simple biopsy can determine if an eyelid tumor is malignant. Malignant tumors are completely removed and the eyelid is repaired using plastic surgery techniques. Additional cryotherapy (freezing-therapy) and radiation therapy sometimes are required after surgery.

Iris Tumors

Tumors can grow within and behind the iris. Though many iris tumors are cysts or a nevus, malignant melanomas can occur in this area. Most pigmented iris tumors do not grow. They are photographed and monitored with a special slit lamp and high frequency ultrasound to establish a baseline for future comparisons. When an iris tumor is documented to grow, treatment is recommended. Most small iris melanomas can be surgically removed. Radiation plaque therapy or enucleation may be considered for larger iris tumors.

Lymphoma/Leukemia

Lymphoma tumors can appear in the eyelid tissue, tear ducts and the eye itself. In most patients with large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the disease is confined to the eye and central nervous system. In these patients, symptoms appear in the eye an average of two years before they are seen elsewhere. The disease itself as well as treatment, which may include external beam radiation, chemotherapy, or both (chemoradiation) to the central nervous system, can affect visual functioning.

Melanocytoma

This extremely slow-growing tumor usually is found on the surface of the optic disc. Almost all cases of melanocytoma are benign and malignant transformation is rare. It is probably present at birth and typically, there are no symptoms. Under clinical examination and fluorescein angiographic studies, melanocytoma appears as a deeply pigmented area located over the optic disc. In the majority of cases, close observation is recommended and no treatment is required. If malignant transformation does occur, enucleation, may be considered.

Orbital Tumors

Tumors and inflammations can occur behind the eye. These tumors often push the eye forward causing a bulging of the eye called proptosis. The most common causes of proptosis are thyroid eye disease and lymphoid tumors. Other tumors include hemangiomas (blood vessel tumors), lachrymal (tear) gland tumors, and growths that extend from the sinuses into the orbit. Though CT scans, MRI's and ultrasounds help in determining the probable diagnosis, most orbital tumors are diagnosed by a biopsy.
When possible, orbital tumors are totally removed. If they cannot be removed or if removal will cause too much damage to other important structures around the eye, a piece of tumor may be removed and sent for evaluation. If a tumor cannot be removed during surgery, most orbital tumors can be treated with external beam radiation therapy. Certain rare orbital tumors may require removal of the eye and orbital contents. In certain cases, orbital radiotherapy may be used to treat any residual tumor.

Anatomy Of The Eye

2008-12-21T13:38:00.002+07:00

In many ways, our eyes resemble an extraordinarily sensitive camera. Much like a camera lens the lens of the eye can change shape to focus on near or distant objects. The lens projects images on the retina, a layer of light sensitive cells on the back of the eye, functions much like the film in a camera.

The eye is connected to the brain by the optic nerve, a bundle of over one million nerve fibers. The cornea (the clear portion of the front of the eye) bends light rays through the pupil to the lens. The pupil is the black opening in the iris. The iris, the colored ring of tissue, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. The eye also has fluids that bathe the various parts of the eye and help to maintain the correct pressure within the eye. The anterior chamber, in the front of the eye, is filled with aqueous humor, a watery fluid. The back portion of the eye is filled with a clear jelly like substance, called the vitreous humor.

The eye can be divided into three layers (or tissues). The white outer coat of the eye, the sclera, is similar to the shell of an egg. Along with the cornea, the sclera protects the eye from trauma and maintains the delicate structure of the internal eye tissues. The middle tissue layer, the choroid, is the blood supply to the eye wall and outer retinal structures. This tissue is responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen to the outer sclera and inner retinal tissue.

The innermost layer of the eye is the retina, a thin translucent tissue composed of ten microscopic layers. The retina is responsible for translating light images into electrical impulses that can be recognized and processed by the brain. The macula is the area of the retina that is responsible for central vision. The center of the macula is called the fovea, and it is responsible for very sharp vision. The retina receives images of light and transmits them to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain interprets these messages as sight.

Definition Breast Cancer

2008-12-21T13:21:00.002+07:00

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body.

The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

Breast Anatomy
Larger VersionOver time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The breast cancer’s stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor (see Stages of Breast Cancer table for more information).

Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.

While there are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive.

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma

2008-12-20T13:26:00.003+07:00

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect your organs by producing a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. This fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the "sac-like" space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma; however, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Malignant mesotheliomas are divided into 3 main types:

epithelioid (50% to 70% are of this type) -- this type has the best outlook for survival (prognosis)

sarcomatoid (7% to 20% are of this type)

mixed/biphasic (20% to 35% are of this type)
Treatment options are the same for all 3 types.

About 75% of mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. They are known as pleural mesotheliomas. Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen. These are called peritoneal mesotheliomas. Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the cavity around the heart and are very rare. The covering layer of the testicles is actually an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesotheliomas that affect this covering of the testicles can occur but are quite rare.

It is important not to confuse malignant mesothelioma with benign tumors that also start in the mesothelium. The mesothelium of certain female and male reproductive organs may develop a type of benign tumor called an adenomatoid tumor. In men, this non-cancerous tumor often starts in the epididymis (a small collection of ducts that carry sperm cells out of the testicle). In women, this tumor may begin in the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus or womb). Another non-cancerous tumor that may begin in mesothelium near female reproductive organs is called benign cystic mesothelioma.

A type of benign tumor that used to be called benign fibrous mesothelioma can form in the pleura surrounding the lungs. Doctors now know that this tumor actually starts from tissue under the mesothelium and not from mesothelial cells. For this reason, the new name of this tumor is solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. This disease is usually not cancerous, but cancerous forms can occur. A similar disease starting in the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum. The tumors described in this paragraph are usually removed by surgery, and there is no need for additional treatment. Only malignant mesothelioma will be discussed further in this document.

Malignant Mesothelioma Surgery

2008-12-17T13:49:00.001+07:00

Surgery for pleural mesothelioma may be done for 1 of 2 reasons: to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor (called palliation) or to cure.

Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to remove completely, or if you are too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation.

Curative surgery is offered if you are in otherwise good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be removed completely. Unfortunately, the cancer cells tend to spread into the chest wall, around the heart, over nerves, and the diaphragm. It is often difficult to detect this spread. Because of this, doctors are not clear on the exact role of surgery. It is not likely to cure you but may extend your life. Curative surgery is being done in some cancer centers and a few of the patients who have had the surgery are experiencing long remissions of their disease.

Depending on the stage of a mesothelioma, surgery may be used to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Often, however, an operation is not appropriate and you may have only smaller procedures to relieve symptoms.

A thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may be done to make a patient more comfortable. Sometimes talc or drugs that cause scarring may be injected into the chest cavity to try to prevent the fluid from returning. This is called pleurodesis. These techniques are successful in controlling the fluid, at least temporarily, in as many as 90% of patients. Because pleural fluid can compress the lung and cause shortness of breath, these procedures can help you breathe more easily, however, they do not cure the cancer.

In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, a needle may be inserted into the abdomen to drain the fluid. Similarly, a needle inserted into the pericardium (sac around the heart) can drain pericardial fluid and help relieve circulatory problems. Sometimes the cancer cells spread along the needle path, and a tumor nodule may form under the skin of that area. This concern should not prevent fluid removal, though.

Two surgical procedures may be offered if you have pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Pleurectomy/decortication: Pleurectomy/decortication is usually a palliative procedure (relieves symptoms without curing the cancer) in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. This procedure removes the pleura, where the majority of the tumor is located. It can control the build up of fluid improve breathing and decrease pain caused by the cancer.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy: Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a far more extensive operation and is most often used in patients with localized mesothelioma of the epithelioid type, when the surgeon thinks a cure is possible. It is a difficult operation and is done only by surgeons in large specialized medical centers. You should talk with your doctor about an appropriate treatment center nearest to your home. The operation removes the pleura lining the chest wall, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung on the side of the tumor. The diaphragm and the pericardium are then reconstructed with prosthetic material. You must be in overall good health with no other serious illnesses to tolerate the surgery. This operation attempts to remove all or most of the cancer and some surrounding tissues as well.

Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is often done either to help relieve symptoms or to remove the tumor from the wall of the abdomen and other digestive organs. As with pleural mesothelioma, these tumors are often too extensive to remove completely. Similar operations can be done to remove a mesothelioma from the pericardium (the sac around the heart).

Surgery for mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, which occurs in the groin, is also not usually curative. Most of the time surgery is done because the tumor resembles a hernia. The surgeon attempts to treat a suspected hernia and only realizes the diagnosis after the surgery is begun. This kind of mesothelioma can’t be entirely removed.

What Is Cancer

2008-12-16T13:30:00.001+07:00

Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death.
How a normal cell becomes cancer

Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. During the early years of a person's life, normal cells divide more quickly until the person becomes an adult. After that, cells in most parts of the body divide only to replace worn-out or dying cells and to repair injuries.

Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. This substance is in every cell and directs all of the cell's activities. Most of the time when DNA becomes damaged, either the cell dies or is able to repair the DNA. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired. People can inherit damaged DNA, which accounts for inherited cancers. Many times though, a person’s DNA gets damaged by things in the environment, like,chemicals, viruses, tobacco smoke or too much sunlight.

How cancers differ

Cancers can begin in many different parts of the body. But, different types of cancer can act very differently. For example, lung cancer and breast cancer are very different diseases. They grow at different rates and respond to different treatments. That's why people with cancer need treatment that is aimed at their particular kind of cancer.

How cancer spreads (metastasis)

Because cancer cells keep growing and dividing, they are different from normal cells. Instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to grow and make new abnormal cells.

Cancer usually forms as a tumor (a lump or mass.) Some cancers, like leukemia, do not form tumors. Instead, these cancer cells involve the blood and blood-forming organs, and circulate through other tissues where they grow.

Cancer cells often travel through the bloodstream or through the lymph system to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue. This spreading process is called metastasis.

Even when cancer has spread to a different part of the body it is still named for the place in the body where it started. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the liver is metastatic breast cancer, not liver cancer. Prostate cancer that has spread to the bone is called metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer.

Remember that not all tumors are cancerous. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors do not spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) and are very rarely life-threatening.

How common is cancer?

Half of all men and one-third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person's lifestyle, for example, by quitting smoking, limiting time in the sun, being physically active, and eating a better diet. The sooner a cancer is found and treated, the better the chances are for living for many years.

The Truth About Water and Your Skin

2008-12-16T13:11:00.001+07:00

It's the main ingredient in most beauty products and a crucial element of every skin care regimen ... but I still encounter lots of misconceptions when it comes to plain ol' water!
Yes, water is essential to all of our biological processes. When it comes to skin, H20 is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes that enable skin to continually replace itself and slough off old, dead cells. And yes, if the body is severely dehydrated, you will see changes in your skin. But true dehydration is very different from the occasional need for a tall glass of water.

In the vast majority of cases, then, dehydrated skin is not indicative of a dehydrated body - and drinking more water will not have a significant impact on your skin's hydration. Make no mistake: As a doctor (and a human being!), I'm a big fan of water and advocate drinking plenty of it. But if you're experiencing dry skin - and more of us will be as the weather turns cooler and humidity drops in many parts of the world - the only way to get relief is to strengthen your skin barrier.

So, what's the skin barrier? That's the layer of skin - right in the middle of the epidermis - that's rich in lipids (a.k.a. fats) like fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. When it's healthy, it is responsible for keeping moisture in your skin, and irritants out.

But when this barrier is compromised, your skin loses water to the environment, resulting in dry skin, and is also more susceptible to allergic reactions and irritation. That's also why you may feel plagued by dull skin during the winter: When the skin barrier is disrupted, its lipids aren't holding your skin cells together effectively. As a result, cells' edges begin to curl up, resulting in dry skin's rough, lifeless appearance.

The best way to tackle dry skin, then, is to help bolster the skin barrier so it can do its job and retain moisture. In fact, you can find the same lipids that are naturally present in your skin barrier in many moisturizers - fatty acids (like stearic acid), cholesterol, and ceramides are readily available in many creams and lotions. Glycerin, another rich moisturizer, is also easy to find. Best of all, these top-notch ingredients are affordable, and you'll find them in the aisles of your very own drugstore.

My favorites? For your face, look for the Dove ProAge moisturizers. And if you're in the market for a bit of a splurge, Atopalm MLE Cream is a wonderful option for dry, sensitive skin. For the body, I love Cera Ve Moisturizing Cream, Dove ProAge Cream Oil Lotion, and Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Lotion.

Wishing you great skin!

What is Mesothelioma

2008-12-15T13:18:00.001+07:00

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare form of cancer that originates in the pleura, the membrane which lines the chest cavity. Most cases of mesothelioma are related to exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral used extensively in the past in the construction, automotive and manufacturing industries.

Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled, and tend to settle in the lower portions of the lung near the pleura. The fibers can cause inflammation and scarring and lead to lung damage or asbestosis. Occasionally, asbestos fibers cause changes to occur in the pleura, leading to the development of MPM 15 to 45 years after exposure.

Because of this long latency period, many of the 2,000-3,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States are patients who had been exposed to asbestos many years earlier while working at shipbuilding or naval yards, or in mechanical, insulation or manufacturing industries.

Men are three to five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. There are three cell types of mesothelioma:

Epithelioid accounts for 50% to 70% of all cases. It also has the best prognosis.

Sarcomatoid accounts for 10% to 15% of all cases. It is a more aggressive form of mesothelioma.

Biphasic or Mixed accounts for 10% to 15% of cases. This form has characteristics of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesotheliomas but is associated with worse survival than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

More common

Shortness of breath
Chest or abdominal pain
Less common

Persistent cough
Significant weight loss
Blood in sputum coughed up from the lungs
Difficulty swallowing
Prolonged hoarseness

Ovarian cancer

2008-12-14T13:12:00.001+07:00

Ovarian cancer does not cause many symptoms in its early stages. This is why most cases are not found until the cancer has spread.4 Most women do have symptoms in the 6 to 12 months before ovarian cancer is found. Symptoms that occur in later stages are most likely caused by the pressure of the growing cancer. Symptoms include:

Ongoing cramps or pain in your belly.
Ongoing pain in your pelvis or lower back.
Abnormal bleeding from your vagina, especially after menopause if you are not using any hormonal medicines.
Abnormal discharge from your vagina, containing mucus that may be tinged with blood.
Pain or bleeding during sex.
Nausea or loss of appetite, or you cannot eat normally.
Ongoing bloating or intestinal gas that is not relieved by home treatment measures.
Bigger belly size or a lump that can be felt in your belly.
Decreased energy level.
A change in your bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea.
A change in your bladder habits, such as urinary frequency or urgency.
Weight loss.

Skin Cancer

2008-12-12T16:00:00.003+07:00

Skin cancer is very serious. It can kill you. Skin cancer is a extremely serious condition affecting over millions of Americans every year. It is a fatal disease that can render you weak. Its incidence is multiplying every year, and yet, it is found to be preventable.

With over a million new cases diagnosed annually in the United States, about eighty percent will be basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma constitutes the sixteen percent and four percent of the cases are melanoma. Skin cancer frequently appears on the areas of the body often exposed to the sun's rays.

Types of Skin CancerBasal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma Photo:

Is commonly seen in people with fair skin, light hair, and green, blue, or grey eyes although it may also affect dark skinned people. It is a slow growing type of cancer that is usually confined to one area of the body. It is also detected easily, thus increasing its chances of getting cured by 95 percent.

The five symptoms of basal cell carcinoma:
An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for more than three weeks.
A reddish patch on chest, arms, shoulders, or legs. May itch or hurt, or may not.
A shiny bump or nodule that's translucent. Can be any color, from white. pink, or red to tan, black, or brown. May be confused with a mole.
A pink growth with a slightly elevated rolled border. Has a crusty center indentation. Tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.
A scarlike area with poorly defined borders. Color is white, yellow or waxy.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Photo:

Is frequently seen on areas that are always exposed to the sun's radiation although it may also be seen on any part of the body. They are often found on the skin but in some cases, it spreads to nearby tissues and organ systems, rendering it fatal. It commonly occurs on injured skin, like burns, scars, sores that have not yet healed for several weeks, or areas exposed to chemicals and radiation from x-rays. Sometimes, carcinomas appear just for no reason. Squamous cell carcinomas may also be genetically inherited.

People with fair skin are predisposed to develop this type of carcinoma although about two thirds of dark skinned individuals with skin cancer are of the squamous cell type.

The symptoms of squamous cell carcinomas:
A wartlike growth that crusts and may bleed.
A red, scaly patch with irregular borders that bleeds of crusts.
An open sore that bleeds and crusts for weeks and doesn't heal.
An elevated growth with a central depression that may bleed and could grow rapidly.

Squamous cell carcinoma has a better than 95 percent cure rate if detected and treated early.

Melanoma

Melanoma Photo:

The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma which is easier to cure when detected in its early stage but fatal when the cancer spreads. The number of Caucasians affected with melanoma has tripled in the last twenty years. For women aged 25 to 29, melanoma is responsible for almost eighty percent of skin cancer fatalities.

Melanoma originates in the melanocytes, where the body's pigmentation is produced. Most melanomas are dark in color, either black or brown, but they can also be devoid of pigmentation, and become skin-colored, pink, red, or purple.

In situ melanoma cells responsible for the production of melanin, the body's pigment. Most melanomas are either black or brown but may sometimes be pink, red or purple. In situ melanoma are localized melanomas while invasive melanomas are those which have spread to other parts of the body, making it harder to treat.

Melanomas are usually brown, black, or multicolored patches, or nodules with an irregular outline. They may crust or bleed and often form on top of existing moles.

If a mole changes or you have any odd growths on your body, go immediately to the dermatologist or family doctor. Don't hesitate and don't delay.

How to Prevent or Alleviate Allergy

2008-12-12T10:00:00.001+07:00

To prevent allergy, you should ideally begin with the childhood.

By allergy the immune system react against a substance that it is not supposed to react against, and the reaction is often exaggerated. Objects containing substances that commonly cause allergy are domestic dust, animal hair, household chemicals, chlorine, microorganisms, pollen, nuts, citrus fruits and seafood. Also bacteria and parasites can cause inappropriately strong immune reactions.

THE MECHANISMS OF ALLERGY

The total set of reactions occurring by allergy is very complicated. Many of these are the same as by normal immune reaction, even though they occur when they should not take place, Here are listed some of these reactions:

By exposure to a new substance, cells in the immune system learn to recognize that substance (allergen), and it learns to produce anti-bodies towards the substance, and a certain amount of antibodies is produced. The type of anti-bodies called IgE is the most important by allergic reactions.

IgE will glue itself to some cells in the blood called mast-cells, and stick out from the surface of these cells. By following exposures to antigens, these will attach themselves to the IgE-ends sticking out from the mast-cells. This will trigger the mast-cells to produce histamine and other signal substances. These signal substances will then spread through the surrounding tissues.

The signal substances will then trigger the walls of small blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues and accumulate in the tissues. This will cause tissue swelling. They also will cause blood vessels to widen and thus increase the blood stream in the tissues. The consequence of this will be swelling and redness in the affected body parts. The signal substances will also make glands in the tissue produce more mucus, making symptoms like running nose and tight throat.

The new exposures to the antigens will also provoke even more anti-body production. The antibodies will also glue allergens together to bigger complexes. These complexes can clog small blood vessels and in other ways disturb the function of the affected organ.

The allergen-antibody-complexes are then recognized by the cells and other mechanisms that the body uses to collect and eliminate garbage. Eater-cells gather and engulf the complexes.

The immune system also will make enzymes that attack the antigens to break them down. Also this production is stimulated when antigens attach themselves to anti-bodies at cell surfaces. But these enzymes are not entirely specific, and can also to some extend break down components of the body’s own tissue, causing harm and disease symptoms.

WHAT CAUSES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO REACT WITH ALLERGY TO A SUBSTANCE

In the beginning of the life of a person, the immune system has the potency to react against most substances in the body itself and the surroundings. However, there are mechanisms that learn the immune system to recognize normal substances found in the daily life in the early infanthood, and suppress the reactions against these. If this learning mechanism is disturbed, allergy can develop.

Allergy can also develop if a small child is never exposed to substances that later will be a normal ingredient of his daily life. In this case the immune system will not get the chance to suppress the reaction against this substance. Letting a small child grow up in an exaggerated clean and sterile environment can therefore cause allergies.

On the other hand, certain elements not being a port of a normal environment can cause allergies by repeated and massive exposure. Examples of such substances are chlorine.

TYPES OF ALLERGIES

Allergy varies according to the compound that causes the immunological reaction. An allergic condition also often implies reaction against a combination of several substances. Common substances causing allergy are: Pollen, domestic dust, mites in domestic dust, moulds and mould spores, chlorine, chemicals in soaps and cosmetics, animal hair, seafood, strawberry, fish, parasites, medicines like anaesthetics and antibiotics.

An allergic condition may periodically get better or worse according to the concentration of the allergen in the environment. A typical example is pollen allergy with peaks in the pollination season of grass or treas.

An allergic person will often get symptoms from several tissues in the body, but the symptoms are often most prominent at one body part and give very specific symptoms at that site. Examples of specific conditions often caused by allergy are eczema in the skin and asthma in the lungs and lower airpipe.

THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGY

Any organ can exhibit allergic reactions, but often the symptoms are confined mainly to one organ or organ system.

By allergic reactions in the respiratory system there will be symptoms like: Itching and soreness in the throat and nose cavities, swelling of the airway tissues, increased amount of secrets in the airway cavities and coughing. There may also be asthmatic symptoms or fully developed asthma. The main symptom of asthma is cramping that constricts the airways all the way down into the lungs (constriction of the trachea and tracholes).

By allergic reactions in the skin, there will be symptoms like: Redness, swelling, red spots, itching and soars.

HOW TO PREVENT ALLERGY

To prevent allergies in an individual the best way, one must begin in early childhood.

A child must be allowed to get in contact with natural elements like earth, dirt, animals, plants, physical contact with other humans, and the like. This exposure to natural elements must occur before an allergy has developed. In this way the immune system will learn to recognize common and harmless elements, and not overreact against this later in life.

Research projects have found out that children having much and early contact with pet animals like cats and dogs have a less chance of getting allergic problems later than children not having contact with pets. This is contrary to what many people believe.

On the other hands, every person should be protected from early childhood from certain elements normally not found in a natural environment, for example chlorine, soaps and cosmetics with artificial substances, and food containing unnatural additives.

METHODS TO TREAT ALLERGY

The first approach in the treatment of manifest allergy is avoiding exposure to substances causing the allergic reactions. Even though exposure to natural substances can prevent allergy, exposure to an allergen should be avoided when an allergy already has developed. Ways of doing this is:

Avoiding food one reacts against.
Avoiding contact with animals one have an allergic reaction towards.
Keeping rooms, clothes beds and furniture well cleaned.
Avoiding use of cleaners, soaps and cosmetics with unnatural additives.
Avoiding foods, drinks and snacks with unnatural additives.
Avoiding daily exposure to chlorine and other chemicals.
In cooperation with your doctor change medicines you use that may cause allergy with others.
Avoiding growth of moulds in the environment. This is done by well cleaning and keeping the environment dry.

Children are often exposed to allergens at school, and adults are often exposed at work. Parents with allergic children must inspect the school environment and require from the school administration and teachers that practically possible environmental measures are provided to keep the school free from allergens. An employee should require the same from his employer.

If you do not know exactly everything you react against, you can try to stop exposure to one factor after another, until you feel that the allergy alleviates, and then keep this factor out of your daily life for the future.

Sometimes avoiding allergens is difficult to accomplish, or make the lifestyle to restricted to be acceptable. Then one must apply medical treatment

that alleviates the allergy.

A common way of treating allergy is applying medication that block the effect of the substance histamine, and thereby alleviate or prevent the symptoms occurring when the antigen get into the body.

Another way is desensitisation treatment. By this treatment one let the body get a controlled and gradually increasing exposure to the allergens over a time period, and when this period is over, one let the body get recurrent exposure to a controlled dose at regular time intervals. By this treatment the response from the immune system from the allergens gradually decrease, partly because the immune system thereby learns to recognize the allergens as harmless, and partly because the antibodies against the allergens are used up.

There are also natural products on the marked that contain ingredients that help the immune system to react more appropriately. Important effects of these products are reduced histamine secretion and increased histamine metabolism. Examples of ingredients in such medicines are: Methylsulfonyl methane, vitamin C, vitamin E, Echinacea purpurea, Quercetin, grape Seed, Stinging nettle, Coleus Forskolin.

Feel Younger By Losing weight

2008-12-11T09:57:00.001+07:00

Many argue diet- or weight loss programs offering fast weight loss to be questionable and consider them "too good to be true". While this is true with most diet pills and magic weight loss formulas, research shows that loosing weight fast is an important part of long lasting weight loss.

Most scientists agree the most important factor for lasting weight loss is a change of lifestyle. This change may sound like a walk in the park, but don’t be so easily fooled, old habits are hard to get rid of.

Many aspects of the lifestyle contribute to a person’s overweight. Changing just one, or a few, won’t be enough. More often than not, you need a complete change in lifestyle.

The most important reasons for overweight are;

Your diet

What you eat is, of course, the single most important factor when gaining weight. If you eat more than you spend, you will gain weight. Some people can eat more and fattier foods than others, it’s in the genes. Focusing on eating food with less fat, more fibers and nutrition as well as fruits and vegetables is a must of you want to loose weight. When you eat is also important. Eating just before bedtime isn’t the best idea while regular meals will help you keep your weight.

Exercise

Just sitting in front of a desk all day won’t burn much fat. You need to get more active in your daily routine. Just increasing your daily, physical activity the slightest will have a great effect on you and your weight. It is better to exercise lightly and often, than it is to work out hard at the gym twice a year. Any actual exercise is better than the greatest intentions.

Smoking

Smoking will kill you! It’s as simple as that. In the long run, smoking will cause many diseases, but in the short run it’ll make you fat and lazy. There are reasons you rarely see an athlete smoke, it’s disastrous for you and your health. There are several places online to quit smoking, if you are a habitual smoker – quit today.

Alcohol

Most people enjoy an occasional drink now and then, but if these occasions become more of a daily routine, you will gain weight. Alcohol has many negative health aspects and its rich in calories. And, with a hangover you rarely get any exercise, a pizza and a diet coke is a more likely scenario.

Fast weight loss as motivation

Changing too much at once may be overwhelming, so make sure you have your mind set on it. Loosing weight fast will boost your moral, and this is exactly what researchers tell us; fast initial weight loss motivates people to change their lifestyle. Changing your life without seeing any results makes most people’s intentions fly right out the window, where seeing results from an early stage will help you fulfill those same intentions.

Some weight loss programs are using this method in their programs, with some very good results. Staying with the program is important even after the initial weight loss; inspiration and motivation are important to achieve long lasting weight loss – make sure you keep yourself motivated.

Winter Facial Skin Care Tips

2008-12-10T09:48:00.001+07:00

Winter is here and the frost is not only nipping at your nose but the whole face. Fortunately, with a facial skin care routine that meets your exact skin care needs you can be on your way to healthy, radiant skin tone.

YOUR SKIN IS DRY OR SENSITIVE IF IT:

Stings or burns when skin-care products are used
Is easily irritated
Sometimes appears red and inflamed
Feels itchy, dry, rough and flaky

Facial skin care for dry skin:
Regular bath soaps clean well but are powerfully alkaline and irritating for both dry and sensitive skin. Clear soaps containing glycerin and alcohol may also be too drying. So, as an alternative of soap, dermatologists suggest a soap-free, sensitive skin cleansers. If your skin is very dry or sensitive, you may need to alternate a washable lotion with a sensitive-skin bar. After cleansing dry skin, apply a moisturizer that is light, hypoallergenic, preservative-free, all-purpose and water based. For extremely dry skin, moisturize with petroleum jelly or an oil-based lotion with 20 percent urea. After cleansing sensitive skin, apply a light, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer, like Eucerin. To check your tolerance of the product, dab the moisturizer behind your ears for the first few days.

YOUR SKIN IS NORMAL IF IT:

Is usually smooth and supple
Is generally clear/blemish-free
Appears neither dry nor oily

Facial skin care for normal skin:

Youâ€™re one of those lucky people whose face can take some abuse and still bounce back, looking fresher than ever. Almost any cleanser (from regular bath soap to sensitive-skin bars) will work for you. If you need a moisturizer â€” some people with normal skin donâ€™t! â€” choose a light, hypoallergenic, preservative free, all-purpose, water-based moisturizer after washing.

YOUR SKIN IS OILY IF IT:

Has enlarged pores or blackheads
Appears shiny and feels greasy

Facial skin care for oily skin:

Regular bath soap, morning and night, is fine for cleansing â€” your skin actually benefits from the drying effect of strongly alkaline bath soaps. If necessary, use an astringent pad at midday. Because your skin is naturally oily, you may not need a moisturizer. But if you do, choose one thatâ€™s noncomedogenic (wonâ€™t cause acne) and either oil-free or water-based â€” Neutrogena or Aveeno, for example.

YOUR SKIN IS COMBINATION IF IT:

Is oily on your forehead, nose or chin
Is dry on your cheeks and around your eyes

Facial skin care for combination skin:

Dermatologists recommend one of two cleansing routines for women with combination skin. You can wash with a gentle facial cleanser in the morning and use an alcohol-free astringent on oily areas later in the day. Or wash with a soap-free cleanser on dry areas and with regular bath soap on oily areas. Treat dry patches as dry skin, then apply a water-based or oil-free noncomedogenic moisturizer to your entire face.

Skin care tips for every type of skin:

No matter how oily, dry or sensitive your skin, always clean gently. Use warm (not hot) water and your fingertips (not a wash cloth). Rinse well. Then use a towel to pat (not rub) your face dry. Wash your face no more than once or twice a day. After patting skin dry, apply moisturizer to skin while itâ€™s still damp to ensure that it is absorbed. Unless your moisturizer provides protection from damaging sun rays, consider applying a light sunscreen as well.

Breast Cancer Myths and Misunderstandings

2008-12-07T17:40:00.002+07:00

1. Myth: Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.

Reality: Roughly 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. But the family-history risks are these: If a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling, or child) has had or has breast cancer, your risk of developing the disease approximately doubles. Having two first-degree relatives with the disease increases your risk even more.

2. Myth: Wearing an underwire bra increases your risk of getting breast cancer.

Reality: Claims that underwire bras compress the lymphatic system of the breast, causing toxins to accumulate and cause breast cancer, have been widely debunked as unscientific. The consensus is that neither the type of bra you wear nor the tightness of your underwear or other clothing has any connection to breast cancer risk.

3. Myth: Most breast lumps are cancerous.

Reality: Roughly 80% of lumps in women's breasts are caused by benign (noncancerous) changes, cysts, or other conditions. Doctors encourage women to report any changes at all, however, because catching breast cancer early is so beneficial. Your doctor may recommend a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy to determine whether a lump is cancerous.

4. Myth: Exposing a tumor to air during surgery causes cancer to spread.

Reality: Surgery doesn't cause breast cancer and it doesn't cause breast cancer to spread, as far as scientists can tell from the research so far. Your doctor may find out during surgery that your cancer is more widespread than previously thought, however. And some animal studies have shown that removing the primary tumor sometimes enables metastatic cancers to grow, but only temporarily; this has not been demonstrated in humans.

5. Myth: Breast implants can raise your cancer risk.

Reality: Women with breast implants are at no greater risk of getting breast cancer, according to research. Standard mammograms don't always work as well on these women, however, so additional X-rays are sometimes needed to more fully examine breast tissue.

6. Myth: All women have a 1-in-8 chance of getting breast cancer.

Reality: Your risk increases as you get older. A woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 233 when she's in her 30s and rises to 1 in 8 by the time she’s reached 85.

7. Myth: Wearing antiperspirant increases your risk of getting breast cancer.

Reality: The American Cancer Society pooh-poohs this rumor, but admits that more research is needed. One small study did stumble on traces of parabens in a tiny sample of breast cancer tumors. Parabens, used as preservatives in some antiperspirants, have weak estrogen-like properties, but the study in question made no cause-and-effect connection between parabens and breast cancer, nor did it conclusively identify the source of the parabens found in tumors.

8. Myth: Small-breasted women have less chance of getting breast cancer.

Reality: There's no connection between the size of your breasts and your risk of getting breast cancer. Very large breasts may be harder to examine than small breasts, with clinical breast exams—and even mammograms and MRIs—more difficult to conduct. But all women, regardless of breast size, should commit to routine screenings and checkups.

9. Myth: Breast cancer always comes in the form of a lump.

Reality: A lump may indicate breast cancer (or one of many benign breast conditions), but women should also be on the alert for other kinds of changes that may be signs of cancer. These include swelling; skin irritation or dimpling; breast or nipple pain; nipple retraction (turning inward); redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; or a discharge other than breast milk. Breast cancer can also spread to underarm lymph nodes and cause swelling there before a tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt. On the other hand, a mammogram may pick up breast cancer that has no outward symptoms at all.

Women with a rare type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) rarely have a breast lump. Symptoms of IBC include swelling, redness, itchiness, or warmth in the breast; tenderness or pain; a change in the nipple, such as retraction; skin that appears thick and pitted like an orange peel or with ridges and small bumps; an area of the breast that looks bruised; or swollen lymph nodes under the arm.

Doctors encourage women to report any changes that they notice in their breasts.

10. Myth: You can't get breast cancer after a mastectomy.

Reality: Some women do get breast cancer after a mastectomy, sometimes at the site of the scar. Or the original cancer may have spread. For women at high risk of breast cancer who have their breasts removed as a prophylactic or preventive measure, there's still a chance, though a small one, that they can get breast cancer. After prophylactic mastectomy a woman's risk for developing breast cancer is reduced by an average of 90%.