Liver Cancer Prevention
Surprisingly enough, many liver cancers can be prevented. There isn't a liver cancer vaccine yet, but there IS a hepatitis B vaccine that was approved for use in the United States in the early 1980s. The hepatitis B vaccine protects both children and adults from the hepatitis B virus. Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus is one of the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide.
It is recommended that all children be given the hepatitis B vaccine and that all adults who are at risk, like health care workers and those who engage in risky behavior, get the vaccine as well.
The other leading cause of liver cancer is chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus. So far, there is not a vaccine to protect against hepatitis C infection. The best prevention against hepatitis C as well as hepatitis B (for those who have not been vaccinated) is understanding how the viruses are spread and how to avoid contamination.
Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread through shared use of a contaminated needle (drug use), through unprotected sex, and through childbirth. There was a time when a blood transfusion carried a major risk of contracting hepatitis B or hepatitis C, but better screening has reduced that risk to only one per two million transfusions today.
If you are at high risk for contracting hepatitis B or hepatitis C, you should be tested for these infections often. There are drugs that your doctor can give you to treat these infections. There are no drugs that cure these infections, however, and it is unclear whether treatment actually lessens the chances of cancer developing.
Alcohol abuse is the number one cause of cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer. This cancer prevention technique is quite simple - don't abuse alcohol and if you are abusing alcohol, stop.
The Effects of Sodium and Blood Pressure
If you're someone who has gotten a blood pressure reading that has made you and your doctor both frown, you may have already been warned about the connection between sodium and blood pressure problems. Just how does this tasty little additive affect your blood pressure this way, and why is it important to avoid it when trying to correct your situation? This article will take a quick look at this issue, and hopefully convince you of the connection between sodium and blood pressure so that you'll be more prepared to watch your diet for the sake of your health.
Arterial Pressure and Fluid Retention
Salt is constructed in such a way that it holds fluid. In very olden times, it was used as a preservative for meats before there was refrigeration, because it held the fluids of the meat in its natural state, not allowing it to be affected by outside air and contaminants.
In the body, the connection between sodium and blood pressure seem to be that when you have a lot of salt or sodium in your diet, you retain water. Your kidneys do not work as efficiently as they normally do, and when you have more fluid in your body, your heart needs to work harder to pump blood.
Sodium and blood pressure also seem to be linked by how salt causes the arteries to constrict; again, it holds in those natural fluids and does not allow them to move freely. When the arteries are constricted, the heart works harder to push the blood through them.
Another connection between sodium and blood pressure seems to be the types of foods that a person eats when they consume sodium. Rarely does anyone put salt on a salad or piece of fruit, but it's often canned foods, junk foods, processed foods, bagged snacks, and red meats that contain salt or sodium.
All of these foods are very difficult for the body to digest, which causes your blood pressure to rise. The heart needs to send more blood to the stomach and intestines when you eat something harsh and unnatural, so that those two organs can do their job better. The connection between high sodium and blood pressure is not just salt on its own, but the fact that all these unhealthy foods usually contain salt. People often don't realize that salty bagged snacks are actually deep friend, including potato chips, pretzels, and so on. Fast foods are also very high in salt, and very low in fiber and other ingredients that make them healthy for the system.
What's the Risk?
Some have argued against the connection between sodium and blood pressure, believing it to be something of an urban myth or that it's really other minerals in salty foods that cause this rise in pressure. However, it is scientific fact that those who cut down on sodium and salty foods when battling a blood pressure problem seem to do better than those who do not.
If your doctor has warned you against the connection between sodium and blood pressure, you do well to heed his or her advice. High blood pressure is dangerous and even deadly, and not worth the taste of salt at all.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
Hemorrhoid Relief – Hemorrhoid Treatments That Avoid Surgery
Hemorrhoid relief is just around the corner if you arm yourself with a bit of knowledge. The tips in this article will provide some easy to apply solutions for getting relief from your painful hemorrhoids.
If you are experiencing hemorrhoidal pain, it can really have an affect on your daily life. There is nothing like pain to put you in a negative state of mind.
People who suffer from the pain, swelling, redness, itching and bleeding of hemorrhoids or piles sometimes find that typical hemorrhoidal treatments can be intimidating. However, thanks to the recent money crisis that the general public has been experiencing, many have searched for less expensive treatments. These treatments are customarily quite benign, cost-effective and can offer you hemorrhoid relief.
For example, there are cost-effective topical creams that you can purchase over the counter. Some of these products have cooling effects that will help scale back the discomfort and swelling. These creams can lubricate the encompassing area to make it greasy and avoid distress from rubbing and friction.
A sitz bath is another way to get hemorrhoid relief. This natural treatment will reduce the swelling and discomfort. It's an easy process. You sit in a warm bath which provides a relaxing effect. Warm water will help to relax the muscles, veins and tissues that cause your hemorrhoids.
In case you are wondering what a sitz bath is, it is exactly what it sounds like. A bath where you sit in warm water that covers your buttocks and hips. Perhaps if we called it a "sits" bath it would be more understandable.
If you sit in warm water it allows more blood to reach the affected area. This promotes healing and helps with the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. A sitz bath is based on the theory of hydrotherapy or water therapy.
There are also plenty of herbal products that may be found right in your kitchen that can provide you with some relief. However, just eating food high in fiber is highly beneficial. It is one of the most effective hemorrhoid treatments and is a lot less expensive than undergoing surgery.
Eating foods that are high in fiber makes it easier for you to pass your stools. Hard stools are one of the main causes of piles. So in order to heal your hemorrhoid, you have to reduce straining during bowel movement. On the other hand, it's also vital to avoid processed foods because this may aggravate your pile, since processed foods tend to be a cause of constipation.
It is exhausting to experience the agony of hemorrhoids. By using natural remedies and solutions we can alleviate the pain without the necessity of expensive medication or intrusive surgery. Apply these solutions so that you too can get hemorrhoid relief.
Breast Cancer- When Chemotherapy Becomes A Useless And Dangerous Poisonous Cure
An article in a well known German magazine, Der Spiegel (4 October 2004) featured an article with this title: The Useless Poisonous Cures. It says: "Increasingly sophisticated and expensive cellular poisons are being given to seriously ill patients ... patients do not actually live a day longer." At first impression I thought the article was rather rash on the so called "noble" effort of the Vested Interest to find a cure for cancer. My perception has since changed after much reading - I begin to question if the effort is really noble or something else - a deception done in the name of science?
It is well known that breast cancer is a common, much feared disease among women worldwide. In the US alone, it is said that each year 180,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 44,000 will die of it. This works out to be almost 25% death due to breast cancer after diagnosis. Why must 25% of them die? What happen to all the research that are being done and the hype that a cure is around the corner?
In Malaysia and also elsewhere, women with breast cancer undergoes a standard recipe of treatments -- surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal oral drug. I was shocked to be told by a bank executive that the oncologist offered her a $50,000 state-of-the-art-package-deal to cure her breast cancer after finding a lump in her breast. This offer was made even before a surgery was done.
The chemotherapy regimes commonly used for breast cancer are anthracycline-based. Perhaps breast cancer patients are more familiar with these names: AC (Andriamycin + cyclophosphamide), CAF (cyclophosphamide + Adriamycin + 5-FU), CEF (cyclophosphamide + epirubicin + 5-FU). Patients receiving such regimen are told that this is the state-of-the-art treatment. It is scientifically proven. The effectiveness of such a treatment has undergone peer review and is published in peer-reviewed journal. The treatment can prevent further spread of the cancer and patients can be cured.
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Disadvantages of Chemotherapy in Treating Prostate Cancer
Normally, human cells divide and increase permanently. This way our body is growing and inactive cells are replaced. That means a controlled process when the resulting cells are identically with their origin. Sometimes, from unknown reasons, the process gets out of control and the result of cells division is an abnormal growth called a tumour. When this tumour is malignant, its cells have the power to migrate nearby tissues and penetrate organs and bloodstream. This is cancer.
Chemotherapy is a treatment based on action of several agents such as: Mitoxantrone, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Estramustine or others. Basically, chemotherapy agents kill cancer cells that are actively multiplying.
The general disadvantage of chemotherapy, no matter of type of cancer, is the drugs cannot discriminate between fast-growing cells and kills all cells whether they are part of controlled or uncontrolled process. Acting that way, chemotherapy kills and 'good cells', including hair follicles, causing typical side effects such as hair loss and other.
The disadvantage in treating prostate cancer is related to the fact prostate cancer cells multiply relatively slowly. This is the reason for chemotherapy is mostly used in aggressive stages of prostate cancer, or when used in common stages, cancer cells need to receive a longer exposure time to the anticancer agent. To compensate the longer exposure a lower dose is prescribed, situation that requires a permanent adjustable schedule of administration and special computerized devices.
It is really up to the patient and his doctors to decide whether on balance the advantages outweigh the risks.
Low Carb Diet
A low-carb diet is also called a "reduced carbohydrate" or "controlled carbohydrate" diet. It is a broad term, encompassing many popular diet books as well as eating plans. A low-carb diet does not require you to follow a rigid diet format, but advise limiting the consumption of foods with fats and carbohydrates. Some diets limit the amount of overall carbohydrates, while others focus on certain types of foods, generally ones high in starch and sugars. Any diet whose primary focus is the reduction of carbohydrates in any way is "low carb". Generally, a diet with 40% or less energy from carbohydrates is considered a "low-carb diet", though people also measure it in different ways.
Low-carb diets help reduce blood sugar and insulin production, which enables the body to utilize stored fat for energy more easily, as well as providing other health benefits and better control over eating. Starch or sugar is highest in carbohydrates. Other food items include anything made with flour, grains, added sugar, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. Most processed foods are also high in carbohydrates. Examples of low-carb foods are proteins such as meat and eggs, most vegetables, low-sugar fruits (such as strawberries), soybeans, and some dairy products.
Erythritol has the least impact on blood sugar and almost no calories. This white powdery sweetener is very useful and versatile, and can be easily used as an alternative to sugar in cakes and chocolates. There are many people who could benefit from reducing their intake of sugar and refined grains. Individuals vary in their tolerance for carbohydrates. Various studies tells us that people with insulin resistance had better results in terms of weight loss and improvement in health factors such as triglyceride levels on a low-carb diet, while the insulin-sensitive group had better results on a high carb/low fat diet.
Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids – Treat Hemorrhoids Naturally
Home remedies for hemorrhoids are a real viable alternative to over the counter medication and surgery. Both of these options do not even consider why a particular sufferer has the condition and as hemorrhoids are not an "infection" but form as a result of lifestyle, diet or hereditary factors. Over the counter medication and surgery are both reactive forms of treatment which are only treating symptoms so it is highly likely that the hemorrhoids will return.
On the other hand, home remedies for hemorrhoids work by not only quickly relieving the symptoms of existing hemorrhoids but by looking at the reasons why you have hemorrhoids and eliminating them so you can be sure that they will not return. In addition, home remedies for hemorrhoids tend to be very economical and surprisingly simple to carry out. Plus good, well researched remedies work very fast with sufferers often beginning to feel some relief within hours.
The Following Steps May help Give Some Fast Relief
* Do not hold stools in-it is important to g to the toilet when you feel the urge
* Take a warm bath-this can relax and soothe the area
* Use wet wipes after defecation and allow to dry naturally
* Limit the time spent on the toilet-do not strain for long periods of time
* Do not stay seated for long periods of time-get up and walk around every hour if possible
* Consider sitting on a donut ring for comfort
* Avoid eating spicy foods as these can irritate the bowel
* Eat a fiber-rich diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables
* Try placing an ice pack wrapped on clean cloth directly on the hemorrhoid
* Soak a cotton wool ball in diluted witch hazel and place on the hemorrhoid
* Aloe vera gel can be very soothing if applied directly as can petroleum jelly or zinc cream
What Causes Brain Cancer?
There is no known cause of brain cancer. Extensive research has been conducted to pinpoint a cause to help prevent the cancer from occurring. Although there has not been very much conclusive evidence leading to a cause of brain cancer, the one thing that doctors do know is that brain cancer is not contagious and it does not occur due to head injury. There are known instances where cancer has spread to the brain from other parts of the body.(Lung cancer,Breast cancer,Liver cancer and so on.)
Brain cancer can occur at any age. Studies have shown that two major age groups are affected. From ages 3 to 12 and 40 to 70 are the age groups when brain cancer is formed. Since researchers have been able to gather this data, it has led to the discovery of some risk factors. Workers in certain industries are at a higher risk for brain cancer than workers in other industries. These include, rubber manufacturing, drug manufacturing, and oil refining. Since brain cancer often occurs with members of the same family, heredity is believed to be another cause of brain cancer.
There are many different kinds of cells in the brain, each with a different function. Sometimes the cells inside the brain begin to grow uncontrollably leading to a tumor. A tumor in the brain may or may not be malignant.If benign a tumor stays where it starts, although it can grow very large and put pressure on crucial areas. In the case of a malignant brain tumor however this has the ability to spread and brain cancer occurs. Brain cancer is dangerous and life-threatening as the cancerous cells can interrupt vital brain functions. When brain cancer occurs, the cells continue to grow at a rapid pace. The cells and tissue around these cancerous cells become crowded out and invaded.
Symptoms of brain cancer include headaches that are worse in the morning, changes in personality, abnormal eye movements, and weakness in the arms and legs. Seizures, nausea, and drowsiness are other symptoms of brain cancer.
Surgery is the treatment of choice for primary brain tumors radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the treatments that are used when cancer has spread to the brain. The doctor will use one or a combination of these treatments depending on the needs of the patient.
Master Dental Braces Before They Master You
Wearing dental braces can be one of the most difficult things one ever does in life. Yet, it doesn't need to be that way. I write this from my heart to anyone who has braces and needs to know how to master them, instead of them mastering you. Dental braces don't need to be a hardship, they can actually be fun, if you master a few areas from the first day you get them on...
I'm sure this letter is coming to a variety of age groups, which is my hope and prayer. You see, I'm 41 years old and I felt kind of weird getting full braces. Everyone in the waiting room was 7-25 years old, but my dentist said get them, or don't expect my teeth to straighten. If your a child, I hope you love this article, If your an adult, I hope to encourage you to the utmost as well.
Let's get to it. How do you master dental braces, instead of them mastering you. A little disclaimer: What has worked for me might not worked for you, so please, follow your dentist or doctor's directions first and foremost, but I'm going to be blunt and to the point in order to help most of you out right now.
The best piece of advice that I got from the start. Relax. Relax and try not to think about them being in your mouth. In fact, the dental assistant told me: Don't think about it. Just be yourself and be normal. That was priceless. Why?
The first day I got braces I wanted to take them back and tell the doctor to rip them off my face. I even thought about the $4,600 I had to pay (my insurance didn't cover because I'm over 25) and thought about how I didn't care even if I had to pay it, just stop this bottom bracket from tearing into my cheeks!
All-right. So I'm not trying to scare you, but wearing braces can be difficult if you don't master them before they master you!
First and foremost you have to have fun, laugh, and be yourself just like you did before you got your braces. I know, I know, the directions say "don't eat any sugar, no sweets, no caramel, etc, etc, etc., again, follow the directions of your dentist, but I say, use moderation instead, and enjoy your food!
Your teeth are going to hurt for a while. There are some things that are normal that you won't feel are normal. I already called my dentist and all of the following are normal, believe it or not: teeth moving, you being able to touch your teeth and see them move, pain, tightness, and much more.
My dentist told me that I would feel normal in about one to two weeks. No way. It took me about a month and a half. After a month, I was beginning to feel like the old "me" and beginning to enjoy my food. Now, about the food. Please, don't make the mistake I made, don't try to eat with ALL your teeth right away.
I thought, ok, I better just be normal, so let's go ahead and chomp away! Ugh! I got so much food stuck in my front teeth you could have filled up two gum wrappers with it! Don't chomp away. Don't eat like your teeth haven't been affected. Granted, each person is different, but if I could please give you this advice. If you used to brush hard, brush medium, if you are a soft brusher, good for you. If you were a hard brusher like me, you are going to have to back off a little bit!
Let me explain. I went through a lot of undo pain the first few weeks just cranking away on my bottom teeth. Before I got the braces I would just scrub and scrub. However, the bottom tooth is the one that is crooked, so I was really scrubbing the daylights out of a tooth that's MOVING. Not a good thing.
Realize, your teeth are moving now, you wouldn't clean a moving car with a 500lb jet sprayer, so don't do that with your teeth either. You've got to be a little more sensitive to yourself.
Again, the first two weeks for me, I wanted to take the braces back to the dentist. Now, I hardly know there there. Another thing is prayer. Seriously, pray and ask God for help at this time. I'm a Christian, and so one day I just prayed this simple prayer and I encourage you to pray it too: "Lord, please teach me how to eat again, with these braces on."
He heard my prayer and I began to eat more with my back teeth. But first, there was a peace! God gave me the peace to move forward and I felt moved by him to stop brushing so hard, and to also eat more with my back teeth. Not to ignore my front teeth, and to chew with them too, but just to change them from the main chewers, to the backup chewers, if that makes sense.
The first three weeks for me can be summed up in one word: uncomfortable. Well, I can help you get through that too. I wanted to sit down at night and slurp on my nightly "Welch's grape juice bars." Uh-Oh. No way. They were history. They are history for now. Until I get the braces off. It was just too cold on my teeth and they all tightened up like they were preparing for war or something.
I'm a juice bar nut, but I almost like ice cream as much as juice bars. Come to find out, Ice Cream has less fat than some of those juice bars! Anyways, I needed some food I could enjoy. Before I tell you my favorite food wearing braces, let me encourage you by letting you in on some of my 2nd place finishers. I love to eat cream corn, ribs that are all the way cooked, because you can take them off the bone with your fingers...
A new love! Tapioca pudding! It's actually an old love, but through the first few weeks it got me through! Also, health wise: Fig Newtons! Awesome soft food, healthy, and eating them is fun with your braces. Again though, you must focus on eating with your back teeth, not the front. Also, put a little food on your tongue and let it sit there for a minute, then move it to the back, because you don't want it cramming into your front wires!
Hmm...let's see. Other foods you may like: peas, cream corn-man this is satisfying with braces. Also, Chili! Yes, Chili! Do you have a Farmer Boys near your house? Best thing you can do for your little one after they get braces is just take them to Farmer Boys for a nice hot bowl of Chili! Farmer Boys makes them with meat in it, and not so many beans, and the meat is thin, so you will be nourished and you'll feel normal again right away! Chili my friends! Chili!
Hmm..what else? Also, soft fruits are great. Watermelon, cucumbers, and orange slices are awesome with braces.
But remember above all else. You need to cut up everything! You can't just sit down and eat a cheeseburger! You need to cut up all your sandwiches into fourths or eighths, make everything bite-sized. You can't eat huge anymore.
Watch out for nuts! They seem to be the hardest thing to eat with braces. You can eat them once in a while, but let me teach you how. Anyone like chocolate nut clusters? Me too! However, you can NEVER, ever eat these with your front teeth! You just can't! Eat them with your BACK teeth only. Believe me, you'll thank me later. I tried to eat one the first three days and almost popped everything off in my mouth. Also, if you eat candy, eat just one! Believe me, one is going to feel like four with your braces on.
Secondly, eat slowly, enjoy, and chew up your food. Never before has chewing become so important! Chew! Chew! Chew! Enjoy! You'll be glad you did.
Also, lastly, you've got to relax and watch out for wax! The doctor kept telling me to put wax, wax, wax. I have a scientific mind and it told me that I am just postponing the inevitable. Those braces by the cheek are going to have to tear in and make an indention or bruise eventually. So, after using wax for just a day or two, I gave it up.
Then, of course, there was the usual pain, but after a day for me, it started going away. Yes, yes, the braces made an indention in my cheek and if I swirl my tongue around under my cheek I can feel the scarred tissue or whatever that is, but hey, my cheek has toughened up, and I don't need wax anymore. I've talked to people who waxed for months!
Ok, I promised to tell you my favorite food. It's vanilla, sherbet, or strawberry ice cream. I eat just a scoop or two at night three or four times a week because it is so soothing to my mouth. At first my mouth started tightening up a bit, but after I did it for a day or two, the tightening has lessened and is hardly noticeable. Plus I feel so good after having the ice cream because it is so soothing to my mouth!
Now, again, follow your dentist, but at my first braces checkup, I am way ahead of schedule. I believe I'm going to get my braces off in 8 months or less! And that's eating ice cream too!
My crooked truth has almost fully straightened and it's been less than three months! Also, I am wearing Damon Braces, and they are very comfortable and they are a brand new technology that works with the natural movement of your teeth, and they don't require tightening near as much as standard braces! If you're a parent shopping for braces don't forget that name!
Lastly, if I can do it at 41 years young, you can too. Don't let braces master you. You must master them. And a final word on flossing too. You are NOT going to be able to floss everyday. It's too difficult and you'll get frustrated. Floss regularly, but most important, brush regularly, and use lots of mouthwash. It'll sooth your mouth! Mouthwash with Peroxide! Colgate makes a great one.
Also, my dentist recommends Colgate Total for the best results while wearing braces. Let me tell you why I agree with him. I'm a public school teacher of 20 years, and I once had a sixth grade student who did an in-depth science experiment comparing Colgate Total, Crest, Agua-Fresh, and more. Long story short, the Colgate Total came out on top in every area: less cavities, less tooth decay, and most of all more whitened teeth than any other brand.
That student was one of my smartest ever and her research was intensive. I was actually a Vice-Principal at the time and a science fair judge. That said, please, enjoy your new braces, and remember, be the master of them, before they master you!
Wheat Gluten Allergies
Nobody wants to live with an allergy. It's especially troubling when you're allergic to a particular type of food. An allergy to wheat can be especially troubling since it's found in so many foods. Gluten is a rubbery protein that's contained in grains. It's common in breads that are made from wheat, barley, rye and oats. It's these proteins that people are allergic to. Albumin, globulin, gluetnin and gliadin are the four basic proteins that can be found in wheat.
As with any allergy it's best to recognize your wheat allergy symptoms. While it's possible for them to vary, depending on the person, the most common signs and symptoms of a gluten wheat allergy are swelling, hives, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, asthma and a skin rash. These symptoms can range from mild to extremely painful. In the worst case scenario these symptoms could be life threatening. However this is the case only if the person is highly sensitive to gluten.
It's a good idea to see a doctor if you think you may suffer from an allergy to wheat & glutton. He or she will be able to perform an allergy test that will show exactly what grains you're allergic to. Your doctor will also be able give you helpful information on how to treat your wheat and gluten allergies.
After you're diagnosed, you will have to pay special attention to your diet. It's important to read the labels on all the foods you eat. While there is no sure fire wheat allergy solution, with a little careful planning, you'll be able to live a happy healthy life free of symptoms of wheat glutton allergies for the rest of your life.
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