Cervix Cancer

March 10th, 2009

The female uterus is connected to the vagina through an opening called the cervix.It is the connection between where a fetus lies to the birth canal. Cervix cancer occurs in this region, generally in the area called the ‘transformation zone’. This transformation zone is the meddle region of a cervix.

Cervix cancer can be of two main types – the most common kind of cervical cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. This kind of cancer is found when the squamous cells on the lining of the cervix closer to the vagina start producing too many cells that interfere with the actions of healthy cells. The other type, which is less common, is called adenocarcinoma, which is formed by the mucus forming gland cells in the inner part of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma has become a more common form in the past three decades.

There are many risk factors that may increase the chance of a person developing cervix cancer. But it has to be mentioned that having these risk factors does not mean you will definitely have cervical cancer. Being infected by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is said to increase your chances of getting cervical cancer greatly. HPV is a kind of virus that is most commonly related to warts that form in different regions of the body. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact and so can be spread by intercourse, oral or anal sex. The Pap test is a good way of knowing if you have been infected by this virus. But it is important to know that having this virus does not mean you have cervical cancer.Smoking is considered another big risk factor in women. Researchers believe that carcinogens from tobacco smoke may alter the DNA of cervix cells, causing them to become cancerous. Other risk factors include the wrong diet, use of oral contraceptives in some case and even being affected by AIDS. Again, it is important to remember that having these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will have cervical cancer, but it is always better to do a few tests.

Treatment for cervical cancer and uterine cancer can be done by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. It is most common to be treated using a mixture of two of these methods, and it is always advisable to listen to what the doctor has to say about these treatments.

Noticing Ovarian Cancer Symtoms

March 9th, 2009

The female reproductive system is composed of many different parts. Of these many organs, one of the most important in reproduction is the ovary, the organ that produces the egg which later can get fertilized. Because of its pivotal role in the body, the ovary is also a site of many important hormone productions, and can be considered important to many everyday processes. Being an organ with lots of activity, all  cells in the ovary are constantly growing, maturing and dying. When these cells start producing more cells than are dying, a mass forms in the ovary, which is what can later turn into ovarian cancer.Generally, ovarian cancer symptoms do not manifest until the cancer starts growing.  If a women starts to experience pressure or fullness in the pelvis, abdominal bloating, or changes in bowel and bladder patterns that continue she should consult her doctor.

Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is a distressing experience for any woman. As no one knows exactly why the cancer forms in the first place there is not much that can be done as preventive methods. It is because of this that being aware of any changes that occur in your body is very important. As a main organ that deals with menstruation, it would be a good initiative to be vigilant about any differences in the monthly cycle. Going to a doctor at the earliest signs of something happening out of the ordinary would be a good idea to find out what the causes for these changes are. Sometimes the doctor may recommend surgically removing the affected ovary as that would stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Women need not be disheartened if diagnosed with ovarian cancer. There are a wide array of drugs prescribed by doctors which provide the needed hormones for the body to function as it always did. And since there are two ovaries present in the female body, it does not mean that removing one ovary because of ovarian cancer would mean there is no chance for childbirth later in life. Science has progressed greatly over the past years and so ovarian cancer can be successfully treated and cured, as long as it is diagnosed early enough.

It is not easy to find out you have ovarian cancer, or any other kind of cancer. It takes a lot of courage to go through an experience like that, and so it is important to always surround yourself with positive people. Identifying the best treatment for you with help from your doctor and sticking to it is vital. And be positive – you can help yourself through this disease. You are stronger than you know!

Lung Cancer and Treatments For Lung Cancer

March 8th, 2009

Composed of many different types of cells; the lungs are one of the largest organs in a human body. Separated into two sections, the left and right lungs, they perform the most important task for life – breaking down the air we breathe to give every human the needed oxygen for survival.

So what is lung cancer?  And what are the common treatments for lung cancer?  Cells throughout our body, including our lungs, go through the cyclic process of life and death. As the old cells complete their life cycles new one are formed to take their place.

Lung cancer occurs when new cells keep forming while the old cells are still healthy and functioning. The new cells are there as an excess, as they have no function in the lungs till the old ones die.

Because of this there is an influx of cells in the lung, which cause a mass of cells, better known as a tumor, to be formed. Tumors can be of two kinds – benign or malignant.

Benign tumors pose no harm to the person as they do not spread and do not interfere with the usual processes of the body. Malignant tumors in the lung are what we call lung cancer.

These malignant tumors can cause harm to the person, and could cause more harm by spreading throughout the body through the lymph system to other parts of the body.

Tobacco use is said to be one of the biggest reasons for lung cancer. Unfortunately being a smoker yourself is not the only means of being affected by tobacco smoke. Second hand smoking can have the same effect.

So if you live with someone who smokes a lot, work in an area where there are lots of smokers around, or are in any way in the presence of smoke from a cigarette, you are at the same risk that the person who is smoking is in. Tobacco smoke has carcinogens, chemicals that cause cells to start dividing irregularly and out of ‘tune’, thereby producing an excess number of cells in a particular part of the body.

Lawsuits against many popular cigarette companies have become a common thing in the past few years, with many smokers saying they did not know about the ill effects of tobacco earlier and are now suffering from one kind of disease or the other, due to smoking. It is now the law that every cigarette packet should have a warning in bold letters mentioning how tobacco is harmful to health.

Depending on the severity of cancer, therapy varies for each individual. Doctor’s would prescribe one or a combination of the following few as treatment methods, depending on each individual.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the most common treatments for lung cancer. But always remember, the fastest cure to lung cancer, or any other disease, is a positive frame of mind!

What Are The Best Breast Cancer Treatment Options For You?

March 7th, 2009

Directly you hear the word ‘breast cancer’, the picture of a female patient is conjured up. This disease is not confined to females.  This is known to afflict men rarely as well.  Breast cancer, which is the 2nd most widespread form of cancer globally, develops in the tissues of the breast in men and women.

Initial symptom of breast cancer is the sensation of a growth or swelling in the locality of breast or underarm. Apart from that, signs of enlargement of the breast or part of it, change in the form and size of the breast, skin inflammation or dimpling, turning inward of the nipple and flow of fluid other than milk from the breast.  It pays to be cognizant of these signs for early detection of cancer.

the best action to take as soon as you see initial signs of breast cancer, visit a physician.  Your doctor will feel your breasts for lumps or any suspect growth.  Harmless growth feel differently from harmful cancer-causing lumps.  Any doubts with regard to his examination will be sorted out with the help of tests such as MRI scan, mammography test, ultrasound scan or a biopsy.  If you are diagnosed with the disease, he may order more lab tests to help him further study it and plan the breast cancer treatment options available to you.

Various therapy methods are available for breast cancer.  They are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and biological therapy.  Out of these, surgery and radiation are local therapies.  The rest is known as systemic treatments.  The former removes or destroys the cancer in the breast whilst the latter enters the blood stream and controls or destroys the cancer.

Breast cancer is related to various risk factors.  If you are a female, the chances of contracting this disease is great as a female’s breast cells are open to hormones like estrogen and progesterone at all times.  The risks also increase with age.  If someone in your family has had breast cancer, you are more at risk than those who do not have a significant family history.

In the world today, breast cancer is said to be the 5th most widespread cause of cancer-related deaths.  You can imagine the seriousness of the problem.  However, it’s comforting to know that billions of dollars are spent yearly on research work to find out the causes and treatments of cancer.

Signs of Colon Rectal Cancer

March 5th, 2009

Cancer is the growth of too many cells in a certain parts of the body, and depending on which part of the body it occurs, it is given different names. The colon, better known as the large intestine, is a part of the body that assists in digestion.  It is the last organ involved in the digestive tract. If cancer cells form in the inner lining of this colon, or at the rectum, that kind of cancer is called colon cancer. Colon rectal cancer has beome an everyday disease in today’s world.

All cells in a human body undergo the process of life and death. This growth is considered cancerous when it occurs against the natural rhythm and cannot be controlled by the immune system. This uncontrolled growth then produces a collection of cells known as a tumor. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. If the tumor is benign it will not spread to other parts of your body. Cells that keep on dividing unmanageably that attack other parts of the body destroying healthy cells are called malignant tumors.

There are many known risk factors that may increase the chance of colon cancer occurring in a human. Those over the age of 40 are said to be at a higher risk of developing colon cancer, and colon cancer has rarely been diagnosed in those under forty. Having a family history of colon cancer can also increase the chances of developing the disease. Other factors like having had benign tumors or polyps removed before, having a diet that is high in fat but low in fiber and having another illness that may increase chances of developing colon cancer are all considered to be risk of getting colon cancer.

Having one of these risk factors does not mean you will definitely get colon cancer. Bleeding from the rectum does not always mean colon cancer but this bleeding should never be ignored. Other symptoms to keep an eye out for include changes in bowel habits and pain in the abdomen or rectum region. Again having these symptoms does not mean you have colon cancer but they should be taken seriously and a doctor has to be consulted to find out what may be causing these irregularities.

Researchers have gone far in identifying ways to cure colon cancer, and success rates are very high. Treatments for colon cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and usually a combination of these therapies is given to a patient to increase the efficiency of treatment.

Is Our Drinking Water Healthy And What Is Healthy Water

February 2nd, 2009

What makes the water you drink “healthy water”?     Most of us know that there is problem with some of our drinking water – sometimes it is the taste, other times it’s the smell.  But what ever it is, most of us don’t believe that our drinking water is healthy.

It’s estimated 60% to 80% of all cancers are environmental in origin. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of chemical carcinogens in surface, ground water, and municipal treated drinking water.
However, often overlooked are the beneficial properties in drinking water that can help protect us from cancer – namely total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, and pH.

Drinking waterwith higher amounts of TDS and hardness results in lower heart disease and cancer mortality rates.

Fluoridation is a highly emotional and controversial issue in which it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The bottom line: Is it effective? Is it safe?

Fluoride toxicity has been linked to genetic damage in plants and animals, birth defects in humans, plus a series of allergic reactions ranging from fatigue, headaches, urinary tract irritations, diarrhea and many other problems.

Dr. Dean Burk, former researcher with the National Cancer Institute, claims “one tenth of all cancer deaths in this country can be shown to be linked to fluoridation of public drinking water.”

Worldwide there is very little fluoridation. Countries that start usually end up stopping it.
Is the chlorine in our drinking water acting as a catalyst triggering tumor development both in atherosclerosis (heart disease) and cancer? Josepgh Price,MD, in the end of 1960 decade penned a fascinating, still not truly accepted book demonstrating the co-relation between “Coronaries, Cholesterol, Chlorine.”

His experiments clearly demonstrate that “the basic cause of atherosclerosis and heart attacks and most common forms of strokes is chlorine. The chlorine contained in drinking water.”
Can chlorine be linked to cancer too? Chlorine combines with natural organic matter creating cancer-causing trihalomethanes (THMs).

Research came form Ohio, Louisiana, New York, Maryland, that where ever the higher levels of THMs are there higher levels of cancer also. Proper water filtration systems can remove these carcinogens.
Bottled water is big business. Generally the bottled water tastes better in comparison the tap water. But is it “healthy water?” It depends on several factors.

Is it hard? Is it moderately high in TDS (total dissolved solids)? Most bottled waters in the United States do not give the information you need to answer these questions. Most of the bottled waters are processec water using reverse osmosis, distillation, filtration or de-ionization. Frankly, you can do this yourself and save money.
Of the more than 700 brands of bottled water available in the US, around 80% are processed water.
Purchase only bottled natural spring or artesian well waters that come closest to the “healthy water” criteria hardness 170 mg/l and TDS around 300 mg/l.

Another “healthy water” option is using an effective filter. Mediocre, excellent, and poor filters are easily available out in the market. Most states require 3rd party testing of water products; however, most people have difficulty understanding the results.

Preliminary research suggests that the ingestion of harmful chemicals from drinking water may not be the primary exposure.

Skin absorption rates for toxic chemicals in both children and adults are much higher than from oral ingestion for toluene, ethyl benzene, and styrene.Â

Inhalation during showering of TCE (trichloroethylene) was 6 to 80 times greater than from drinking the water. Lovers of pools and hot tubs take note.

One solution to consider is a whole-house filtration system for chemical removal, not mineral extraction. Point of use filters for bathing, showering, and drinking are also recommended.

What Are the Best High Blood Pressure Remedies?

February 2nd, 2009

If you've got hypertension, you need all the information you can get about lowering high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are many effective remedies for high blood pressure, both including and excluding drugs. This article will take a look at a few of the most popular remedies, but remember: high blood pressure is the number one predictor of heart attack and stroke, and it can also be a principal cause of kidney disease. In other words, anything you can do to lower your blood pressure is good, but if you have high blood pressure or suspect that you do, you must consult your doctor about the best course of treatment, and also regularly monitor your blood pressure to best insure continued health.

Blood Pressure and Weight

Probably the number one high blood pressure remedy is to establish and maintain a healthy weight for your age and body type. Why? Well, for starters, each pound of body weight you add will also increases the length of your circulatory system by as much as 200 miles! That’s a lot of extra capillaries for your heart to pump blood through. Reducing body weight can, over time and with exercise, allow your body to reabsorb much of that extra tissue, including the blood capillaries. If you have high blood pressure, reducing your weight to a healthy level—and keep it there—is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Blood Pressure and Diet

Eating a diet low in transfats and cholesterol will help keep your circulatory system a lot cleaner and lead to lowering your blood pressure. It will also decrease your chances of heart attack or other coronary disease. Also, reducing your salt intake is an important remedy for high blood pressure. Increasing your potassium and calcium levels by eating foods like bananas and other fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables has been shown to positively impact your blood pressure. Garlic is another beneficial spice to add to your diet, and eating beans of all kinds gives your body additional fiber and non-fatty proteins.

Blood Pressure and Smoking

It should go without saying: if you smoke and you have high blood pressure, it's kind of like running around in a lightning storm while holding a golf club over your head. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict; how can that possibly be good for you if you already have high blood pressure? Stop smoking, and the sooner the better! The beneficial effects for your system will begin almost immediately.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

Do You Have Low Blood Pressure?

February 2nd, 2009

Considering that there are already millions of people around the world who are suffering from low blood pressure, it only makes sense that this would be a condition you would want to watch out for, especially if you have any of the associated risk factors. For instance if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you are going to want to watch out for the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure because it is a common affliction among pregnant women.

The Details

There are a few things in particular that are important to learn about when it comes to the low blood pressure condition. Do you even know what low blood pressure is, because it is quite a complex condition?

Also referred to as hypotension, this is a condition in which the blood pressure of a person is so low it causes symptoms or signs due to a low flow of blood. When the flow of blood is too low it can become very dangerous, which is why anyone who has low blood pressure needs to keep in close contact with their doctor and make sure that their condition is always properly managed and under control.

Treatment

Treatment is the first step after you have been diagnosed with this condition. Fortunately there are quite a few options available to people who have a lower than normal blood pressure. The first thing that your doctor will probably recommend is that you start taking medication for your blood pressure, to regulate it and get it well under control.

Especially if you are pregnant or nursing or have a preexisting health condition it is going to be very important to get your blood pressure at a normal level. At least you can be rest assured knowing that this condition is better than high blood pressure which can be deadly.

Your doctor will also tell you that you need to make certain lifestyle changes. For instance if you smoke or drink regularly, you are going to need to stop this because this can have a huge effect on your blood pressure. As well you should be eating healthily, particularly lots of leafy green vegetables.

You also need to be drinking water, at least six to eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.

As you can see, you can deal with low blood pressure and even hopefully avoid it altogether, as long as you are educated and informed and watch out for the related signs and symptoms of the condition.

Why You Need to Find Your High Blood Pressure Cause

February 1st, 2009

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, there is going to be no more important step than taking the time to find out the high blood pressure cause in your case.

Why so, you ask? Well for one, if you are able to work with your doctor and figure out what the high blood pressure cause is, then you will be able to deal with your problem right at the source and hopefully eliminate the problem altogether.

Possible Causes

To help you out here, you will want to learn about what the possibilities are for your high blood pressure cause. One very common high blood pressure cause is pregnancy. High blood pressure is common during pregnancy so you should not freak out, but it can become dangerous and so you need to be very aware of this so that neither you nor your baby will be at risk.

There are actually a few different types of high blood pressure that a person can suffer from during pregnancy. There is chronic hypertension for one, and if high blood pressure develops before 20 weeks of pregnancy or it continues on and lasts for 12 weeks after delivery, then your doctor will classify it as being chronic hypertension.

This is the most dangerous type of high blood pressure during pregnancy, and one that doctors watch out for. There is also the gestational hypertension condition, which you are considered to have if dangerous high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Treatment

Once you have figured out the exact high blood pressure cause in your case, you can begin working on your high blood pressure treatment. Your doctor may recommend that you start on medication, at least until your condition is more under control.

Further on this matter your doctor will most likely perform some blood and urine tests on you, in hopes of dealing with the situation more thoroughly. No doctor wants you to have to rely on medication for the rest of your life to keep your condition under control, and so they will suggest that you do other things as well.

Eating the right foods for instance is a very important step. You should be eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain breads and cereals. Drinking water is also important, and you should be drinking six to eight glasses of water each day.

The Best High Blood Pressure Diet: What You Need to be Eating

February 1st, 2009

High blood pressure is considered as being a very serious condition, one that can be potentially life threatening, especially if left untreated for a longperiod of time. About one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure already and mau not even know it. That means that millions of people in the United States alone are already suffering with this condition and many more will be diagnosed in the coming years.

In terms of the high blood pressure cause, there is actually no single cause but instead a few different possibilities which may be the reason in your case.

No matter what the cause, if it is found that you have high blood pressure, you are going to need to do something about it, and as quickly as possible. When it comes to high blood pressure treatment, there are a few different options that you have, but one of the first things you should be working on is your high blood pressure diet.

Your Diet

Your diet is going to play a major role in your life if you have high blood pressure, and it is crucial to your health that you have the right high blood pressure diet and follow it to a tee. If you have high blood pressure you cannot be eating fatty, deep fried foods, and instead need to make sure that you are eating tons of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Also for your high blood pressure diet you are going to need to make sure that you are eating plenty of whole grain breads and cereals. Meats are important as well as they will provide you with protein but you can take supplements if you are a vegetarian and would prefer not to eat meat.

There is a diet known as the DASH diet and which is one of the best options for a high blood pressure diet. It was designed by The Heart and Stroke Foundation, which uses it to encourage people with high blood pressure to eat healthily and control salt intake more than anything.

There are many tips offered by this dangerous high blood pressure diet which you are going to want to be aware of, to keep yourself in the best of health. For one, limit your salt intake. You probably do not realize just how much salt you are eating on a regular basis, and just a few things you can do is try and avoid canned or prepared foods which will be high in salt, and read labels on foods before buying so that you are aware of the sodium content.