cancer and diseases

Showing posts with label cancer and diseases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer and diseases. Show all posts

Suffering From a Cluster Headache? Know the Stymtoms


For two weeks you’ve had severe headache pain, and it’s not going away. You’ve tried taking Advil, using cold washcloths, and you’ve become sensitive to light. Cocking your head to one side you find no relief and you have such severe pain in your eyes you swear it feels like someone is repeatedly jamming an ice pick or hot poker into your sockets. If you try lying down, you notice the pain only intensifies and your neck and shoulders are always sore and throbbing.

According to iHATEheadaches.org, approximately 45 million Americans complain of headaches each year — or about 16.54 percent of the population. And more than eight million Americans visit their doctor complaining of headaches each year. It doesn’t take someone with a graduate Master’s degree to know that headaches are painful, debilitating and very frustrating.

Do you suffer from cluster headaches? Learn the signs and symptoms below, and find out what you can do about them:

Signs

Unlike run-of-the-mill headaches, cluster headaches occur in cyclical patterns or clusters and are some of the most painful types of headaches. They are often confused with migraines. Mayo Clinic says that frequent attacks, or cluster periods, may last from weeks to months, which are generally followed by remission periods when the headaches subside.

Signs you might have a cluster headache include:

  • Quick-striking pain without warning
  • An “alarm clock” pattern-the headaches will wake you up in the middle of the night with intense pain
  • Intense pain in or around the eyes
  • Intense pain on one side of your head
  • Excruciating pain around your face, head, neck and shoulders
  • Redness in the eye of the affected side
  • Stuffy or runny nasal passage
  • Reduced pupil size
  • Swelling around the eye of the affected side
  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Drooping eyelids

Characteristics of Cluster Headaches
You might notice that, like allergies, clusters occur every spring or fall. Often times, people with cluster headaches explain that their pain feels like a hot poker being stuck in the eye or that their eyes are being pushed out of its socket, as stated on the Mayo Clinic site. While you’re experiencing a period of clusters, you might notice that you get headaches several times a day, lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, give or take. Mayo Clinic states that the majority of attacks occur at night, but the reason is unknown.

Unlike migraines, there is a genetic component to cluster headaches, so if this type of problem runs in your family, you run a greater risk of experiencing headaches. According to the World Health Organization, men are more prone to cluster headaches than women: For every six men effected there is one woman. The first onset is usually between 20 and 30 years old.

What You Can Do
Don’t worry, cluster headaches are not life threatening, and there are a variety of ways you can help make your attacks shorter and less severe. Normally, headaches, both normal and severe, aren’t a symptom of any underlying disease, but if you experience headaches frequently and it’s been occurring for a few years, seek medical attention.
Unlike migraines or tension headaches, there are no triggers that bring about your cluster headaches.

Treatments include:
Oxygen
Triptan, or Imitrex, injections
Nasal triptan
The more radical and dangerous option is surgery. The most conventional type of surgery is when the doctor cuts or blocks a portion of the trigeminal nerve, the cause of the headaches.

Daith Piercing – Pain, Pictures, Infection, Healing and Aftercare



What is a Daith Piercing?

Daith Piercing is the process of perforating the Daith, an inner section of the ear that consists entirely of cartilage. It is the outer rim of ear cartilage located closest to the head. The perforation is mainly done for wearing a piece of jewellery.

Daith Piercing Experience

Daith Piercing has become popular only recently.  Naturally, it is carried out only in a few select body piercing salons. If you are interested in getting a Daith Piercing, you should find out if any local salon in your area is offering such services. Try to find out if the place is dependable, abides by safety standards and comprises of expert piercers.

If you are satisfied with the quality of the studio, fix up an appointment. An appointment will help you avoid get timely service.

Buy a piece of jewelry to place at the site of your Daith Piercing. Many piercees usually go for a small barbell or ring.

Take along some over-the-counter painkillers like Acetaminophen, Aspirin or Ibuprofen. These will help if you have a low threshold for pain. You may pop these sometime before the session begins to reduce pain during piercing.

Turn on the appointed day at the exact hour. A delay can cause the experts to get engaged with other clients.

You may have to show your identity proof and also sign some papers expressing your consent to undergo the piercing. Once these formalities are completed, you will be admitted to the piercing chamber.

When the piercer appears, show the exact spot where you want to wear your barbell. The professional will probably mark the spot with a surgical pen and then start cleaning the area. The area is cleaned with a disinfectant containing alcohol and antiseptic lotions. Some people have hair coming out of their ear. In such cases, the piercer may shave the area to carry out a minor hair removal.

Daith Piercing consists of perforating the specified part of inner cartilage using a curved surgical needle. After piercing, the area is cleaned to remove all traces of blood. In experienced hands, Daith Piercing bleeding is minimal.

Daith Piercing Aftercare

Once you have gone through the piercing session, you must take care that the rest of the process goes smooth as well. One way of ensuring this is carrying out proper aftercare. Most studios instruct their clients how to care about their Daith properly after perforation. This goes a long way to prevent any chances of ear infection.

Most piercers recommend a salt water soak for the pierced area. You can go for H2Ocean solutions from the market or make a solution yourself. Add 1 tsp salt into 1 glass (8 ounces) of water and mix well. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and press to your pierced area to clean it off impurities. Repeat the process with fresh cotton balls for 5 minutes. You should preferably do this twice a day.

Wash your hand with antibacterial soap before and after the cleaning session. This will avoid any transmission of germs from your hand to the area.

After Daith Piercing earphones are best avoided. Inserting headphones into the ear canal can cause swelling and delay the recovery process.

Daith Piercing Pain

The process can be quite hurtful. Any kind of perforation on the body results in pain. However, piercing in sensitive areas of the body can cause greater pain. That said, the threshold for pain differs in every individual. If you can bear much pain, you can safely go for this process. Most piercees, however, say that Daith Piercing pain during perforation is nothing more than a sharp pressure.

In any case, it is better to pop a painkiller a while before piercing. This can help you combat pain with greater ease.

Daith Piercing Healing Time

A perforation of the inner ear cartilage normally heals in 7-8 weeks. In some people however, it may take a longer time to recover. But it should not take more than a year to heal.

Daith Piercing Infection

Infection is not uncommon in cases where Daith Piercing is carried out in an improper way. An unsterilized needle can be a major agent of inviting bacterial infection. Touching the area with unclean hands before healing can also give rise to infections.

Daith infection can be very painful. The symptoms typically include redness and inflammation. Extreme cases can give rise to pus-filled abscesses in the ear. If not treated in time, it may cause ear damage and also result in hearing loss.

Infectious cases require immediate medical treatment to prevent them from getting more severe.

Daith Piercing Risks

Daith Piercing problems generally include infection, irritation and trauma.

Infection

As aforementioned, using unsterilized surgical needles for perforation and touching the just pierced area with unclean hands are prime the reasons behind infections.

Irritation

Irritation usually occurs due to a strong soap brand. Hard soaps contain chemicals that can act as allergens and cause irritation in the recently pierced skin. It can cause pain, itchiness and other discomforts.

Injury

Trauma or injury can arise if the recently perforated Daith is hurt in any way. It can arise out of a sports injury to the ear or a cotton strand that may get entangled to the Daith Piercing earrings.

How Much Does A Daith Piercing Cost?

Piercing your Daith in reputed studios can cost you around $40.

Daith Piercing Jewelry

Top choices for Daith Piercing jewelry usually include captive barbells and tragus. Jewelleries with a 1.4 mm gauge are generally used to decorate the daith.


Daith Piercing Pictures


Want to get a visual idea about Daith Piercing? Check out these Daith Piercing Pictures and find out how the Daith looks like when perforated.

If done with care, Daith Piercing can be quite painless and uncomplicated. With proper aftercare, there will usually be fewer health complications. So it is best to try out a reputed body piercing studio and take good care of the pierced region. Your body is a very sensitive region and it is best to carry out any modification to it with utmost safety.

More links found between cancer in men and HPV, but men aren’t approved for vaccination



Men are neither vaccinated nor screened for human papillomavirus, but two university studies suggested last week that it may be the cause of cancer for many men, and that those cancers could have been prevented.

The virus, better known as HPV, is the primary cause of cervical cancer in women. Recent research, at the University of Michigan and University of Louisville, suggests that it is also the cause of a disease that disproportionately affects men, cancers of the head and neck.

“You should be testing everybody,” said Payal Desai, leader of a pilot study at the Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center. Both men and women carry HPV, the virus that will affect at least 50 percent of sexually active people, according to the Food and Drug Administration, though only a fraction of those will develop cancer.
More than 35,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2008, according to the American Cancer Society. Twice as many men as women will develop the disease, which the society estimates will kill 7,590 Americans this year.

Currently a screening test only exists for women. Similarly, a vaccine for HPV exists, but is only approved for use in women ages 9 to 26. Studies are under way to test the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in men, according to the FDA.
If the vaccine were successful in preventing HPV infections in men, the studies suggest it is possible that a significant number of cancer cases in men could be avoided.

In one study, tissue samples from 43 head and neck cancer patients were tested by the Louisville team. They found that almost one-third of the samples tested positive for HPV, specifically the strain of the virus known as HPV 16.

In the other study, at Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, had similar findings. More than one-third of the 66 head and neck cancer cases they examined tested positive for HPV 16. This study’s primary finding was encouraging: The HPV-associated tumors responded significantly better to treatment than those not associated with HPV.

In women, HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,070 cases will be diagnosed, and that the disease will kill 3,870 women in the United States in 2008.
Infection by strains 16 and 18 can be prevented through vaccination, with almost 100 percent effectiveness. The drug Gardasil, first made available to young women in 2006, also vaccinates against types 6 and 11, which are responsible for 90 percent genital warts cases.

Desai presented the findings of their study May 15 at the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Conference. The results have not yet been published. The University of Michigan study was published online May 12 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In February, another study, at the National Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins Medical Insitutions, suggested a link in men between HPV and oral cancer.

New Treatment Could Provide Relief to Headache Sufferers


A new treatment combination may provide the very relief that chronic tension headache sufferers have long been looking for. Often debilitating, chronic tension headaches are characterized as a tight band of pressure in the head that seems never-ending - occurring almost daily over a six-month period or longer.

Because the pain is continuous, many who suffer from this type of headache are at risk for overusing pain relievers (analgesic medication). This overuse can ultimately lead to analgesic abuse headaches. Another treatment option has been the use of antidepressants, with amitriptyline hydrocholoride being the first line of treatment. However, recent medical trials report that this antidepressant provides little, if any, relief.

Now, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows promising results for the treatment of chronic tension headaches with a combination of antidepressant medication and stress management counseling. This comes as good news for the millions of men and women in the US who suffer from chronic tension headaches. (Statistics show that 3 percent of women and 1.5 percent of men experience this type of headach.

JAMA Study

In the JAMA study, 25 percent of the 200 study participants underwent a treatment plan involving both stress management therapy and the use of tricyclic antidepressants. The other participants received treatment of either stress management counseling or tricyclic antidepressants. After careful evaluation, the researchers found that the combination treatment provided more relief to the headaches sufferers than either therapy did alone.  The researchers now want to further their work in order to determine if this same combination treatment is effective in relieving migraine headaches.


Headaches and Children

In a related story, scientists are also finding that severe headaches are not just limited to adults. A recent study published in the journal Neurology reports that headaches, especially migraines, are a very real and prevalent problem in children. In fact, according to the American Council for Headache Education, many adults who suffer from headaches say they also experienced headaches as children, with as many as 20 percent saying they experienced the onset of severe headaches before the age of 10. Headaches are also an inherited trait. Parents who suffer from migraine headaches are likely to have children who suffer from migraines.

With over 500 children evaluated, researchers found that more than one-third of the young participants suffered from at least 15 headaches a month. Nearly all of those children described symptoms of migraine headaches - a headache associated with a throbbing type of pain that is often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. Stress-related tension-type headaches were the second most common type suffered by the children.

In addition, research has found that girls are more susceptible to headaches then boys. The study found twice as many females suffered from chronic daily headaches than males - a trait that seems to follow females all through their life (an earlier study published in JAMA reports that women are more likely to suffer from both migraines and chronic tension-type headaches than men).

What are Tension-Type Headaches?

The American Medical Association (AMA) describes tension-type headaches as a headache that feels like there is a tight band of pressure at both temples, the forehead, or the back of the head and neck. The pain is usually moderate and does not increase with physical activity.

Although the exact cause of tension-type headaches is not known, medical experts state that it may be triggered by tension in the neck, face, and scalp muscles. Anxiety, depression, and stress are other factors that may cause tension-type headaches.

 When to Contact Your Physician

The AMA recommends that you contact your physician if you experience recurring headaches when you previously have been relatively headache-free, or if one headache is different from others (longer in length or more severe).

Also, contact your physician immediately if your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
  • confusion, dizziness, numbness, weakness, or paralysis
  • loss of consciousness
  • fever
  • stiff neck
  • seizures
  • pain in your eye or ear

What Are Migraine Headaches?

The American Medical Association (AMA) describes the following as typical symptoms of a migraine headache:

  • headache pain that is moderate to severe that can last four hours or longer
  • throbbing pain on either one side or both sides of the head
  • nausea
  • pain intensifies when you move
  • sensitivity to light, odors, or sound
  • vomiting
Because some of the above symptoms may signal an even more serious condition, be sure and consult your physician for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Medical experts say the following may trigger migraine headaches:

  • lack of sleep
  • stress
  • hormonal changes
  • some foods, such as chocolate and some types of cheese
  • some food additives, such as nitrites, nitrates, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • some alcoholic beverages, such as red wine/font>
  • bright lights or loud noises
Always consult your physician for more information

Ear Infection : Causes And Treatments

Ear infection is one of the nagging and painful diseases in the world. You cannot hear properly, there is continuous headache or pain in the ear or there may be nausea and vomiting. Ear infection is also very common in children. As there are three parts in our ears – the external ear, middle ear and the inner ear – ear infection is also categorized according to these parts.

External ear is comprised of the pinna (fan shaped part, extreme end of the ear), the ear canal and the tympanic membrane. Ear infection in the external ear is called ‘Otitis externa’. This is the commonest type of ear infection. There is inflammation of either the pinna or the canal of the ear. Bacterial infection is common for both the child and adult age group. There may be fungal infection (candidial infection) of the skin of the ear canal (Otomycosis). This is an extremely painful condition of the ear; even pressing the outer ear can cause severe pain (diagnostic point). Swimmers can be affected frequently by the bacteria present in contaminated water. Ear wax can lead to outer ear infection, if gets impacted and secondarily infected by bacteria.


Ear infection involving the middle ear is called ‘Otitis media’. This is common in early childhood. There is a connection from the nasopharynx and the middle ear called ‘Eustachian tube’. This maintains the barometric pressure balance between the ear and the outer environment. In any case, if bacteria or virus can get entry to the middle ear through this tube, it can cause severe damage. The acute otitis media is mainly seen in children and is viral in origin. It usually follows if a child has recurrent upper respiratory tract infection. It is self-limiting and does not cause much harm. But sometimes the infection can reach to the meninges (outer covering of the brain matter) producing meningitis. It is a life threatening condition.

In children, effusion can be present in the middle ear infection and can be seen through examination of the tympanic membrane. This condition is called ‘Glue ear’ or secretory otitis media. This is again viral in origin.

The most dangerous ear infection is, by far, the chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). It may be associated with perforation of the tympanic membrane causing deafness. Spread of the infection to the meninges may cause meningitis and extension to the small bones present in the middle ear cavity (maleus, incus and stapes) will produce pain and some degree of deafness.

Infection of the inner ear is not very common compared to the external and the middle ear cavity. However, ear infection can do occur in the cochlea and the vestibular apparatus present in the inner ear. Inner ear infection usually follows infection in either the external or the middle ear.

Pain in the ear is typically present in all otitis externa, but not always in otitis media. There may be some degree of deafness in both the occasions, which again depends upon the severity and place of ear infection. It is usually associated with different degrees of fever, body ache, nausea and vomiting. Ear infection in a child can make him irritable and crying.

Diagnosis is dependent upon complains and investigations like clinical examination of the ear, X-ray PNS and skull, CT scan and MRI scan of the head and neck.

Treatment of ear infection is done by antibiotics and proper pain killers. The choice of antibiotic will vary depending upon the suspected cause of infection.

Cure Kidney Diseases at Home Natural Remedies


How to Cure Kidney Diseases at Home (Natural Remedies)

This article will help you to discover the safest and most natural way to cure kidney diseases at home.

The Kidney

The kidneys, which are part of the urinary system, function to metabolize and excrete urine. The kidneys are located in the region of the loins with one on each side of the spine. They are entrenched in fatty tissue and look like beans.


The-Human-Kidney


The urine that is produced in the glomeruli (glo·mer·u·lus / ɡləˈmeryələs/)  and renal tubules is carried to the pelvis by collecting tubules. Glomeruli act as simple filters. Through them, water, salts, and waste products from the blood pass into the spaces of Bowman’s capsules. From there, the waste products, salts, and water travel down to the renal tubules. The renal tubules subsequently reabsorb most of the salts and water while the rest of the fluid becomes urine. The average amount of urine excreted by a human in 24 hours is about 1.4 kg (about 6 cups). But this amount may depend on the intake of fluid. It may also be based on the amount of fluid loss that takes place through perspiration, and in some cases, vomiting.

Common Types of Kidney Diseases


  1. Below, some kidney conditions are listed as updated on WebMD:
  2. Nephritisis soreness of the kidney and has two distinct types: glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis.
  3. Glomerulonephritisis the swelling of the glomeruli; the interstitial nephritis, meanwhile, is the swelling of the spaces between the renal tubules.
  4. Nephrosisis also called nephrotic syndrome and is a degenerative ailment involving the renal tubules; it causes the body to emit too much protein in the urine.
  5. Nephrosclerosisis the hardening of the small arteries supplying the kidney; it is a disorder in which the urine excretes albumin, casts, and occasionally, white or red blood cells.
  6. Renal Calculiis “stones” in the kidney and may form in the kidney or renal pelvis from crystal deposits in the urine.
  7. Uremiais poisoning caused by accretion in the blood of waste products normally emitted by the kidney
  8. Pyelonepritis is an infection of the kidney with bacteria.


The Urine Creatinine


Are you familiar with creatinine? This substance is a significant indicator of whether renal tubules are healthy or not. Creatinine is a byproduct of muscle metabolism that is removed by the kidneys.

Cures and Remedies for Kidney Diseases

The Kidney Dialysis

How much does it cost for a kidney dialyses session?

Dialysis centers across the US can demand up to $480 for a dialysis treatment. This treatment may not include the related medications.

The Naturopathy Medicines

Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a form of alternative medicine utilizing a wide collection of natural treatments including homeopathy, herbalism, and acupuncture. It also includes diet and lifestyle counseling.

The Homeopathy Medicines

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine based on the doctrine of Samuel Hahnemann whereby a substance that causes the symptoms of an illness in healthy people will treat comparable symptoms in sick people. It is a scheme that claims to follow a set of scientific principles but is not effective for any condition.

Herbalism (“herbology” or “herbal medicine”)

Herbalism means using plants for medical purposes and also involves the study of such exercises.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that originated in ancient China. It involves pricking skin tissues to reduce pain and is used to cure various physical, mental, and emotional disorders. The key component of this traditional Chinese medicine involves inserting needles into the body at certain “acupoints.”

The Natural Methods

These are the most common methods used to cure kidney diseases. Read more below.

Prevention is better than cure. If you take care of your health, you can prevent and cure kidney diseases at home

Basic Kidney Treatments Available at Home

Fluids – Stay hydrated. It is necessary for you to drink a good amount of water. Water is the best choice for staying hydrated, but you can also enjoy fruit juices, ginger ale, or tea. You are getting your daily dose of fluids if your urine is light colored. Along these lines, try to limit sodas, and drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day. Sodas, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages can actually make you dehydrated.

Fruits and Vegetables – These food items improve kidney functions. Fruits like cranberries, blueberries, and grapes provide a good source of vitamins and minerals that can help the kidney to operate. Prime vegetables in this regard include fennel, onions, celery, beets, spinach, string beans, and asparagus. (Click picture to enlarge.)

Low-Potassium Foods – Kidneys control potassium, so it is important to monitor your intake of potassium. This is because you can develop a greater risk of stroke and heart attack once your potassium level gets too high. Apples, pears, eggplants, beans, noodles, pasta, cookies without nuts or chocolates, corn, rice, zucchini, and peppers are some foods that are low in potassium.

Iron-Rich Foods – Your body may be low in iron if you are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Eating iron-rich foods including green leafy vegetables and eggs can increase your iron intake.


Promising New Stroke Treatment Shows Dramatic Improvement in Stroke Symptoms



The majority of strokes occur because a clot restricts the flow of blood to an area of the brain, causing it to die. Persons who survive a severe stroke can linger for a decade or more with devastating physical and mental impairments. Strokes kill approximately 163,000 Americans annually and are a leading cause of long-term disability.

The costs of their care can quickly drain a family’s financial resources. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and getting appropriate treatment rapidly can determine the severity of the outcome. New treatments are offering hope for a full recovery within days or months.

In the past decade, the clot-buster TPA has been administered to dissolve brain clots. Originally used for heart attacks, TPA was shown to be also effective for strokes if given intravenously during the first three hours after onset of symptoms. It doesn’t always work for the patient and sometimes causes bleeding in the brain.

In 2005, a new stroke treatment – a corkscrew device to physically remove the clot – came into use for certain patients with major strokes. Now, an experimental treatment gives doctors even more options to help save lives and minimize the disabilities that strokes can produce.

Doctors involved in clinical studies are now delivering TPA precisely to the clot area and dripping the dissolving agent directly onto the blockage. Similar to angioplasty, in which a catheter is threaded through a vessel in the groin to the heart blockage, a tube is guided to the brain instead. TPA is delivered through a specialized tube to the clot, instead of making its way there through the bloodstream.

Many patients given this experimental treatment made stunning recoveries by the next day – often without the speech loss and paralysis that can result from stroke. One study found that after this novel treatment, 65 percent of patients were able to walk, talk and function normally after three months, compared to those given standard care.

According to study leader Dr. Doojin Kim, one-fourth of 128 patients given this localized treatment at UCLA over ten years at UCLA showed dramatic improvement of stroke symptoms within a day of administering TPA with the drip method.

Ninety percent of them survived, compared with 74 percent of stroke patients receiving standard intravenous TPA. Not only did they survive, they had excellent final outcome. Bleeding in the brain was less common with the new approach.
In a second study, 73 patients with severe strokes first got intravenous TPA, followed by the dripped treatment if needed. Some also received ultrasound through the TPA tube to further break up the clot. Bleeding was a more common side effect, but the twice as many clots were dissolved.

The new dripping technique is suggested for patients under age 80 who suffer a major stroke. Using those criteria, doctors estimated that up to half of stroke patients might qualify for the procedure. Only about 30 percent of clots dissolve with intravenous TPA alone, according to Dr. Gergory Del Zoppo, a stroke expert from Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA.

Now physicians must decide which individuals would do best with various clot-dissolving strategies instead of using the corkscrew type device to pull out the clot.

Both the dripping technique and the corkscrew device promise to give stroke patients another option if their initial treatment with intravenous TPA fails. Doctors involved with the new treatment strategies agree that relative risks and benefits of each need further study.

A Guide to Diabetes Association


Diabetes is a common disease affecting millions of people all over the world. It is a metabolic disorder where the body either does not produce sufficient insulin, or is not able to efficiently use it. Insulin is a hormone required to convert the starches, sugars and other food into energy. Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes are three main types of diabetes.

American diabetes association is the not-profit organization that supports 23.5 million people suffering from diabetes, including adults and children. The organization was founded in 1940, and their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and also to improve the lives of diabetics.

Diet Recommendation of American Diabetes Association

As per recommendation of American diabetes association, it is essential to make the healthy lifestyle choices, and making wise food choices is one of the best ways to manage diabetes, and keep the body free of complications. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is essential to meet with the nutritionist, and get the diabetic meal plan as soon as you can. It is also important to choose the foods that have low glycemic index, and high concentration of minerals and vitamins .

Several diabetes associations have declared some foods such as whole grains, berries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, citrus, fat free milk and yogurt, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and fish as the super foods, and it is easy to integrate these foods in your existing diabetic diet .

In recent years, the oversaturation of useless, terrible foods have replaced the healthy diets. These foods lack essential vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium and fiber. The super foods suggested by diabetic associations are great for good health and longevity.

Diabetes associations all over the world work towards fighting the deadly consequences of diabetes, and offer help to people suffering from this disease. As per American diabetes association, diabetes is chronic only if the underlying causes are not resolved, and unfortunately, none of the modern medicine seems to address the underlying causes.

The modern medicines only attempt to control the disease by suppressing the symptoms, keeping the insulin and glucose levels in the normal range artificially, but the disease keeps becoming progressively worse. In a drive to help people with diabetes, American diabetes association offers a Step Out program, where each step taken by the walkers from all over the country helps them raise money, and the association uses these funds to provide community based education and fund critical research for the diabetes cure.

American diabetes association has issued the clinical practice recommendations to diagnose diabetes which promotes A1c as the easier and faster test. This test could reduce the number of people with undiagnosed diabetes. This test measures the average blood glucose levels over the period of three months.

American diabetes association offers most up-to-date information on diabetes, and if you become a member, you can get the latest information regarding breakthroughs in diabetes treatment options and research, continuing education opportunities, forums for networking with peers, and grants supporting the research on the disease.

American diabetes association delivers services to several hundreds of communities, funds research to cure, prevent and manage diabetes, gives voice to the people who were denied their rights because of diabetes and provides objective and credible information.

Diabetes association of Nigeria is a non-political, self-sustaining, non-religious, voluntary and non-profit organization, and is a member of International Diabetes Federation affiliated to WHO.

Australian diabetes association is a peak scientific and medical body in Australia which was established in 1973, and works towards improving the care of diabetics. It is a society for medical practice, research and education in Diabetes Mellitus. The membership to the society is open to any scientist or medical graduate with interest in diabetes.

Treatment for Chlamydia – Important Facts to Know



Treatment for Chlamydia -Understanding and Finding

Chlamydia is the most reported sexually transmitted disease in the US. This may be due the fact that the disease spreads so easily. Since there are very few noticeable symptoms people often do not know they are infected until they have spread it to other people. Chlamydia is known as the silent STD. If you suspect that you or your partner may have Chlamydia consider the following information about risks and treatment for Chlamydia options.

 Signs and Symptoms

In most cases carriers of Chlamydia never see any signs or symptoms of the disease. However, if symptoms due show up it is usually within the first 3 weeks after you are exposed. Women general experience changes in discharge or burning sensations if they experience symptoms after exposure. If the disease is left untreated and it spreads to the fallopian tubes there are several other symptoms that may occur. In this case some women may experience lower back pain, nausea, fever, pin during intercourse, or abdominal pain. Men may experience symptoms as well. In most cases men experience a discharge form the penis.

Risks of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is associated with several health problems and risks. Women are at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease if the Chlamydia spreads into the uterus or fallopian tubes. About 10-15% of women who go untreated experience this development. An infection can also develop in the fallopian tubes. If left untreated for too long permanent damage can occur in the uterus. In the worst case scenario a woman may become unfertile due to Chlamydia. When Chlamydia advances to this stage most women experience chronic pain.

Chlamydia During Pregnancy

Chlamydia can cause several complications during pregnancy. During the early stages of pregnancy Chlamydia can induce an ectopic pregnancy. During later pregnancy months a woman ma experience premature labor. This can lead to the baby being born too soon. In addition, if the baby is born when the mother still has Chlamydia the disease can pass from mom to child. Many babies develop a Chlamydia infection in the eyes and respiratory system. Chlamydia is the number one cause of pneumonia in newborn babies. It also can cause pink eye. In this case the child will need treatment for chlamydia as well as the mom and dad.

Treatment for Chlamydia – What Are the Options

Treatment for ChlamydiaTreatment is very simple for chlamydia. Most doctors will prescribe a single dose antibiotic or a week’s regimen as treatment for Chlamydia. Azithromycin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for Chlamydia. However, anyone with the disease should abstain from sex for at least seven days after the single treatment or seven days after the weekly regimen. Both partners should be treated with antibiotics. Three months after treatment both partners should return to the hospital to be retested. In rare cases an additional rounds of antibiotic might be needed.

As you can see it is imperative that you seek treatment if you think you or your partner might suffer from Chlamydia. This is especially true if you are pregnant. Treatment for Chlamydia is very simple so there is no excuse not to be tested.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women


What Causes Hair Loss in Women – 5 Key Factors

Finding out what causes hair loss in women may be a little tricky. There are hundreds of causes for this problem. However, there is still no evidence to show why some women lose hair and others don’t. If you suspect that you are losing more than you think is normal you may want to consider the following things that can hair loss.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women – Stress

What Causes Hair Loss in WomenStress can be a large part of the reason you are losing your hair. Many women who are middle aged find that this is a common cause. In this case you will have to change something in your lifestyle to reduce stress. You may need to work less, enjoy more alone time, or simply learn to have fun again. If you suffer from chronic stress and anxiety your doctor may decide you need medication to calm your nerves.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women – Medications

What causes hair loss in women could also be explained from a medication perspective. Some medications have severe side effects including hair loss. Your doctor will have to evaluate whether the medicine you are taking is more important than the hair loss. For example, if you are taking heart medication to prevent a heart attack you probably shouldn’t stop it to prevent hair loss. In some cases your doctor might be able to change your prescription to something else that works for your problem and doesn’t cause hair loss. This is especially true if you are taking something like an allergy medication.

 What Causes Hair Loss in Women – Diet

Man doctors believe that diet has a part to play in healthy hair. If you don’t feed your body correctly your hair can’t grow properly. Eat a diet balanced in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You should also avoid foods that are high in fats or salts. These foods are known to cause blood disorders which may affect hair growth. Hair needs proper nutrition in order to grow and not fall out.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women – Hormones

Women who are going through menopause may experience hair loss due to an imbalance in hormones. There are certain hormones in the body that must not be too high or too low in order for hair to be health and vibrant. In this instance a doctor may be able to help you adjust your levels with medication. In this case it may be possible to stop or prevent hair loss from occurring.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women – Diseases

Man diseases can affect the way your hair grows. Thyroid disorders, psoriasis, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, and anemia can all affect the way your hair grows. Treating these conditions will vary. In some cases the proper treatment can reverse or stop hair loss. However, in some cases there is no way to stop your hair from falling out.
When trying to find what causes hair loss in women you will see that there are literally hundreds of reasons. If you find that our hair is falling out at an excessive rate you should contact your doctor immediately. There may be a treatment that can stop your hair from falling out and prevent further fallout. Don’t wait until it too late to fix the problem.

Parkinson’s Treatment Options – 4 Things to Consider


Parkinson’s Treatment – Options You Should Be Aware of

Parkinson’s disease is a horrible thing that attacks many humans today. This disease is incurable. It attacks nerve cells that affect every part of the body. People with Parkinson’s disease suffer from muscle spasm, tremors, and shakes. While there is no cure for these symptoms there are Parkinson’s treatment options available. Doctor’s may recommend physical therapy, surgery, drug therapy, or exercise as Parkinson’s treatment options.  Consider the following options if you or someone you love suffers from this debilitating disease.

Parkinson’s Treatment – Physical Therapy

In the beginning stages of Parkinson’s disease many doctors do not want to prescribe medications. Medications can lose their effect after several years of use. Therefore, doctors prefer to prescribe natural treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or exercise.  In many cases these Parkinson’s treatment options will prolong the onset of the disease. Stretches and exercises can often help muscles from become stiff and having spasms. These treatments help prolong mobility and movement.

Parkinson’s Treatment – Drug Therapy

Parkinson’s TreatmentAs Parkinson’s disease progresses there are drugs that can help with muscle spasms, constipation, and pain that is associated with the disease. In most cases doctors will start a patient on the lowest dose possible and the fewest drugs. This will allow for increases and additions as the disease progresses.  There are also experimental drug therapies that are available. Your participation in these clinical trials will depend on the stage of your disease and your doctor’s recommendation.  The most common drug used to treat Parkinson’s is Levodopa. This drug can provide relief for many years. However, after five years some people experience complications such as uncontrollable movement.

Changes in Lifestyle

Many people find that a change in lifestyle can help with the pain associated with Parkinson’s.  Slow down and limit the stress on your body. Changes in diet have also proven very effective. Man people need a high fiber diet balanced with many fruits and vegetables. There are also activities that you can perform differently. For example, if you take small bites, eat moist foods, and avoid hard or crunchy foods you will have fewer problems with digestion. Avoiding sugar has also shown to reduce the amount of drooling that occurs.

 Surgery Options

Surgery is a last option for most doctors to consider. While this Parkinson’s treatment may provide relief for some patients it may not work for others. Deep brain stimulation is one option for patients that have severe Parkinson’s disease.  In some people the surgery provides long term relief while other people experience no effect at all.

As you can see there are many Parkinson’s treatment options available. Your doctor can help you along each stage of the disease to choose which option is right for you based on your behavior. Those with an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s can complete small steps that may lessen the severity of Parkinson’s in the long run. Only your doctor can tell you which option is best. However, following his or her advice will provide relief that you need. These four options are just the beginning in treatment options.

Procedures in Mesothelioma Diagnosis


Whatever diseases the patient may be suffering from, they will always ask the following questions:

Am I correctly being diagnosed?
Am I availing of the best diagnostic methods?
Is the process taking too long?
Am I receiving enough support?
Is the medical team overseeing my diagnosis competent enough?

he above anxieties and fears are no different from the ones that patients undergoing mesothelioma diagnosis feel. Since mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is a deadly disease, a patient receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis may experience drastic and life-altering changes to their way of life that only a serious illness can do. Many patients are in shock and denial, and all too often the most common reaction after a mesothelioma diagnosis is to seek a second opinion.

Once the disease is confirmed, the patient should immediately consult with an oncologist who specializes in the kind of mesothelioma he or she is suffering from so that treatment options can be explored and begun as soon as possible and to ensure that the patient receives optimal care in the duration of the illness.

Generally, a doctor will formulate a mesothelioma diagnosis within three to six months after a patient first consulted with him or her. The early symptoms of mesothelioma that patients usually complain from are breathing problems, chest and abdominal pain depending on where the cancer site is. The primary doctor typically takes the initial steps in the diagnostic process, after which the patient may be referred to a pulmonologist or an oncologist to undergo further tests. A doctor will take into account the following factors before considering mesothelioma as the likely cause of the symptoms:


  • The patient’s medical history. This includes the patient’s past and present health complaints with emphasis on respiratory problems, family history of cancer and whether or not the patient is currently or previously smoking.
  • Physical examination. The doctor will check for signs of pleural effusion or pleural mass, reduced ability to expand the chest, muted or absent sounds of breathing, mediastinal displacement, tenderness in local areas, and any protruding tumors.
  • Prior exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Therefore, any previous exposure to this necessitates further testing.

What is Cervical Cancer?


In order for the layman to understand what is cervical cancer, we must first give a background of the cervix and its functions. The cervix refers to the lower part of the uterus or the womb. The body or upper part of the uterus houses the baby when a woman gets pregnant. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina or birth canal. It is further subdivided into two parts:


  • Endocervix – The part of the cervix which is closest to the body of the uterus. The cells lining this part are called glandular cells.
  • Exocervix or ectocervix – The part of the cervix next to the vagina. The cells covering this part of the cervix are called squamous cells.


The place where these two types of cells intersect is called the transformation zone. This is where many cases cervical cancers occur. Another important thing to remember when we wonder what is cervical cancer is that these cells do not immediately develop into cancer. What happens is that the normal cells of the cervix initially develop pre-cancerous changes before eventually turning into cancer. There are several terms used by doctors to describe these pre-cancerous changes:

  • Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)
  • Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL)
  • Dysplasia

One good thing that can be noted when we ask what is cervical cancer, its nature and characteristics is that these changes that are occurring prior to the onset of the cancer can be detected by the Pap smear test and is still possible to treat before it leads to cervical cancer.


There are two main classifications of cervical cancers and pre-cancers based on how they look when viewed under a microscope:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma. These cancers originate from the squamous cells covering the surface of the exocervix. More often than not, squamous cell carcinomas begin on the area where the exocervix joins the endocervix. This is the most prevalent form of cervical cancer, accounting for 80% to 90% of all cases diagnosed.
Adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer is becoming more and more common in the past 20 to 30 years. This type of cancer originates from the gland cells of the endocervix that produces mucus.

In addition to the above two types of cervical cancer is a third one which has features of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are known as mixed carcinomas or adenosquamous carcinomas.

Recent Developments in Mesothelioma Research


In recent years, there have been considerable progress in the field of mesothelioma research made by medical researchers and professionals specialising in the treatment of mesothelioma. The same can also be said of clinical trials that are part of mesothelioma research. There is still a lot of ground to be covered though because there is still no known method for the early detection of mesothelioma. However, advances in technology have certainly helped physicians diagnose mesothelioma cases better and devise more effective treatment plans for patients. People who have had knowingly been exposed to asbestos should undergo the following tests in order to detect the presence of mesothelioma cancer cells:


  • Chest x-ray. This will detect if there are any abnormalities within the chest.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This will help to determine if an abnormality spotted in the chest is already mesothelioma or just a non-malignant tumour.
  • Computer Tomography (CT) scans. These show detailed images of the chest which will help determine any chest abnormalities.


Clinical trials play a crucial role in the treatment aspect of mesothelioma research. They shed light on different elements of the illness and also give patients suffering from mesothelioma hope that they can still be cured of the disease no matter what stage of the cancer they are already in.

Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones will be able to view information about existing mesothelioma clinical trials and how to participate in them through online websites such Google They should take advantage of it because this can be a critical way of improving the quality of life of sufferers.

In recent months, a new drug with the name Alimta (Pemetrexed) has already shown great success in clinical trials. When this is used together with Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells, Alimta aims to put a definite stop to the multiplication of cancer cells. This drug has just been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of mesothelioma, especially for patients who do not have the option to just have the cancerous cells removed.

Pancreatic Cancer Stages: The TNM Classification


The main significance for knowing about pancreatic cancer stages is that it is used by doctors to determine the extent in which the pancreatic cancer has spread. Once the doctor determines this, he or she will then decide on the appropriate course of treatment for the patient. In some cases, the doctor may not be able to tell the exact stage of the cancer until after the patient undergoes surgery. Pancreatic cancer stages are determined through tests and scans. There are two methods used in determining pancreatic cancer stages.

TNM Stages

The acronym ‘TNM’ stands for Tumour, Node, Metastasis. This system describes the size of a primary tumour, detect whether there are lymph nodes which contains cancer cells and whether the cancer has metastasised or spread to other parts of the body. Below are the five stages of tumour size based on the current TNM classification:


  • Tis (carcinoma in situ). This is a very early pancreatic cancer stage which has not yet had a chance to spread to other body parts. When speaking of pancreatic cancer, this stage is not at all common.
  • T1 means that the tumour is still inside the pancreas and measures 2cm or less going in any direction.
  • T2 means that the tumour is still contained within the pancreas but is already more than 2cm going in any direction.
  • T3 means that the cancer has already started to spread into tissues surrounding the pancreas. However, it has not yet spread to nearby large blood vessels.
  • T4 means that the cancer has already spread further outside the pancreas and into the nearby large blood vessels.
  • N0 means that there are no lymph nodes that has cancer cells, while N1 means that there are already lymph nodes containing cancer cells and so the cancer is more than likely to have spread further than the pancreas.


M0 means that the cancer has not yet spread into distant organs, while M1 means that the cancer has already spread to other organs.

Heartburn : A Surprising Culprit


Otherwise called pyrosis or corrosive acid reflux is a smoldering sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the epigastrium. The torment frequently ascends in the mid-section and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.

People who suffer from acid reflux - when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus — learn which foods tend to upset their stomach. But there’s one trigger they might not think of and that even researchers hadn’t realized was so potent: salt. According to a survey of some 47,000 people, those who regularly reach for the shaker are 70% more likely to suffer from acid reflux. But the study revealed some good news too: Alcohol and tea — both thought to contribute to the condition
— turned out to not increase risk for those surveyed.

Cheers for Beer!
You’ve probably heard that red wine is high in antioxidants, compounds that may help protect against heart disease and cancer. But if you like beer better, here’s good news. The brew offers about the same benefits as wine, according to new research. Just don’t go overboard

— you get optimal antioxidant payoff from one serving a day. For beer, that’s 12 ounces; a serving of wine is five ounces. Having three or more drinks daily actually increases the risk of serious disease.

Yo-yo dieting may make you SICK
FAD DIETS ARE NOT ONLY INEFFECTIVE, they also may be bad for your immune system. A recent study found that the more times a woman had lost weight over a 20-years period, the lower her disease fighting cell activity was. (Presumably. the women were regaining pounds in between.) Those who’d maintained a stable weight had the healthiest immune cell function. The key
— as if you didn’t know! — is SENSIBLE FOOD CHOICES that you can stick to long term, plus regular exercise (which also boost the immune system), says senior study author Cornelia Ulrich, Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Hepatitis B – Brings An Irritation Called Hepatitis


Hepatitis B is an ailment, the root of which is hepatitis B germ. Hepatitis B germ taints the liver of hominoidae as well as human beings. It brings about an irritation called hepatitis. Initially the disease is recognized as “serum hepatitis”. The disease is pandemic in China and has brought about plague in portions of Africa and Asia. Approximately 2 billion people viz. a third of the world’s inhabitants have been polluted with hepatitis B germ. Diffusion of hepatitis B germ develops from contact of transferable blood or body fluids including blood.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B:-

The indications (particularly early indications) may comprise of one or a number of the undernoted reasons for a person suffering from hepatitis B:-

  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Too much tiredness
  • Muscle pain
  • Not feeling very hungry
  • Weakness
  • Diarrhoea
  • A low-grade fever
  • Light-colour stool
  • Sore throat
  • Joint pain
  • Mild abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
  • Dark urine

Normally jaundice crops up few days after the initial indications of hepatitis B become visible at the outset. Jaundice is likely to aggravate within two weeks after the initial symptoms start. At the moment there may be some improvement of the initial indications but some new symptoms may come out viz. abdominal pain on the right side.


Causes of Hepatitis B:- 

Due to accumulation of increasingly hepatitis B germ in the liver cells, the liver cells may injure resulting even death.

The following developments may be observed to the patient suffering from hepatitis B:

  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • A sudden onset of fever
  • Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Lack of appetite
  • Nausea
Still the symptoms may not develop to all the persons infected with hepatitis B germ. A man suffering from hepatitis B may also develop continuing liver disease.

Hemorrhoids – Very Normal Forms Of Disease


Throughout the world hemorrhoids are one of the very normal forms of disease. If correct medicine is taken it can be make well without difficulty. Hemorrhoids isn’t a poisonous disease. In case the exact medicine is not taken at the appropriate time the condition of the patient may be bad. Hemorrhoids are nothing but inflamed veins nearly the anus. It may also direct to blood loss from the rectal vicinity. At the time of bowel movement there may be sting and burning feeling nearly the injured area. There are two types of hemorrhoids viz. external and internal.

Causes and Risk Factors of Hemorrhoids:-

The reasons for hemorrhoids contain:

  • Pregnancy (pressure on the lower abdomen caused by the uterus)
  • Diarrhoea
  • Sneezing
  • Prolonged sitting
  • Coughing
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Anal or rectal infection
  • Eating a low-fiber diet
  • Overweight
  • Vomiting
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Anal intercourse
  • Habitually straining (due to constipation)
  • Standing or lifting too much

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids:-

The normal indications of hemorrhoids are:

  • Rectal burning
  • Unfinished bowel movements
  • Soft lump felt at the anal opening
  • Small amount of blood in the stool or on the toilet paper after washing

Diagnosis of Hemorrhoids:-

The doctor will advise a rectal test in order to identify hemorrhoids. The doctor puts a lubricated and gloved finger into the rectum to sense the irregularities. External hemorrhoids may be identified by a rectal and/or visual test.

In order to identify internal hemorrhoids, the doctor will place in a lean tube-like tool (termed an anoscope) into the lower little inches of the rectum. For screening into the anal canal, the anoscope has a light in the last part and an eyepiece ahead.

Further to detect the other reasons of bleeding, the attending doctor may complete a sigmoidoscopy (a test of the rectum and the end of the colon – the sigmoid colon) or a colonoscopy (a test of the inside of the colon).

Diabetes And Alternative Therapies


Diabetes is a developing wellbeing inconvenience in the truth today.  Did you know that roughly 22 million children and adults are determined to have diabetes in the United States as it were? These numbers are growing every day. The precise reason of diabetes is not clear-cut, however, deficiency of drill and obesity are big factors in the growth of diabetes. This clause will offer some general data about diabetes.

What about alternative therapies?

The word “alternative” can suggest a form of treatment that is taken instead of conventional treatment. This should NOT be pursued and can be potentially very dangerous especially if your diabetes is treated with insulin. In any case, there may be a place for complementary therapies that can be tried together with conventional medicine.

Advise your physician about any unconventional medicines, including vitamins, that you may get started taking before you were diagnosed with diabetes. In this manner you can be certain that any medicines you are taking will not get unfavorable reactions. While you may not view such products as drugs, their benefits and risks need to be treated in the same manner as traditional medications. The consumption of any herbal or unconventional cure must first be discussed with your physician.

Treatment with insulin, people with Type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin of their own. It must therefore be replaced every day for the rest of their lives. At present the only way is by injection, although researchers are working hard to perfect the techniques of inhaling insulin or taking it by mouth. At this time, it can’t be taken by mouth because the stomach would digest it, just as it digests food.

Food is one of the great things that life has to offer. And because you have diabetes you may think that the freedom to eat whatever you need and at whatever point you need is totally  gone. However, this is not entirely true.