Weight Loss Technique

Diet gurus have convinced you low-fat diets will end your weight problems forever.

Learn the Secrets to:
Stop eating Low-Carb Diets
Stop eating Low-Calorie Diets
Stop eating Low-Fat Diets
Stop suffering to lose weight


It’s a myth. Here’s the truth about the most popular diets…

Even You can Lose
10 lbs. on a Weekly basis!

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Introduction

Cause and Pathogenesis

Symptoms and Signs

Investigations and Diagnosis

Treatment and Prognosis

Prevention

Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of among women in the world today. The actual cause of breast cancer is not fully known and is probably due to a multitude of factors. Breast cancer today is the most common cancer among women throughout the world. The incidence is much higher for women over 65 years of age when compared to those in the 45 to 64 age group. However, the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in younger women and many cases of this disease are being reported in women in their twenties and thirties. The incidence of breast cancer among women across all ages is also continuing to rise.

Cause and Pathogenesis

The actual cause of breast cancer is not known and is probably due to a variety of factors. A large proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not exhibit any known risk factors, which include familial history, early menarche or late menopause, nulliparity or first child born after the age of 30, exposure to ionising radiation, personal history of cancer or atypical hyperplasia, and excessive tobacco consumption. Other factors like hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition or viruses may also play a part.

Symptoms and Signs

The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. About 50% of the lumps are found in the upper outer quadrant. Nipple discharge may be present. Pain, tenderness, changes in breast shape, dimpling, puckering (orange-peel appearance of the skin), and nipple retraction may occur as the disease progresses. In advanced stages ulceration may develop on the skin and signs of secondary metastasis to other organs like the lungs, liver and lymph nodes may be present.

Investigations and Diagnosis

The best investigation is regular self-examination of the breasts. A mass detected by breast self-examination, physical examination, or mammogram needs further follow-up. Ductal carcinomas account for 75% of all breast cancer, lobular and nipple carcinomas account for most of the remaining 25%. Definitive diagnosis is made by incisional, excisional, or needle biopsy of the mass. Mammography is a very effective method of diagnosing cancers of the breast in their early stages even before they are palpable. Therefore, routine mammograms are now recommended for all women deemed to be in the high-risk category for developing breast cancer.

Treatment and Prognosis

There are three main methods of treatment used in breast cancer.

Surgery

The treatment consists of resection of the lump with removal of a varying amount of surrounding healthy tissue, ranging from a margin of breast tissue to the entire breast, axillary lymph nodes, mammary lymphatic chain, and pectoral muscles. Breast reconstruction can be done later for cosmetic purposes.

Drug therapy

Multi-drug chemotherapy is used primarily for premenopausal node-positive women.

Hormone therapy

This is used primarily for postmenopausal node or receptor-positive women.

Radiation therapy

Radiation is used as adjunct after surgery and for palliation in advanced disease.

Counselling

Counselling the patients is important especially as they are often distressed by the altered body image.

Patients must also be taught to look for early signs of the disease either in the same breast (if not fully removed) or in the opposite breast.

The prognosis worsens as the number of groups of involved lymph nodes increases. Pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the pleural spaces around the lungs), ascites (fluid in the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen), pathologic fractures, and spinal compression can occur with advanced disease and these are some of the symptoms of advanced disease that have a relatively poor prognosis.

Prevention

The best way to prevent breast cancer is by early detection and treatment, before secondary spread occurs. This can be done by regular breast self-examination and mammography. All suspicious lumps should be investigated by biopsy to rule out malignancy. All women with a family history and in the high-risk group should undergo periodic mammogram examinations. Self-Examination must be taught to every woman who has attained menarche irrespective of age.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture/Acupressure.

Acupressure and Acupuncture are similar except for the fact that in Acupuncture, the influential points are punctured by needles where as in Acupressure the same points are pressed by fingertips or other suitable appliances. As the basic principles of both are same, in the information here, both terms are used interchangeably.

Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese art of healing is experiencing a revival.

Acupuncturists claim success in healing many diseases, which are resistant to conventional forms of therapy. They also claim that it is a simple, safe, effective and economical form of therapy.

The evolution of Acupressure seems natural if we consider our natural reaction to pain. We press the painful point. It is said that experiences of soldiers also contributed to the evolution of Acupressure and Acupuncture. Soldiers observed that arrows which pierced specific parts of the body cured long standing ailments of some other parts of the body.

Acidity

All about Acidity

Introduction

Cause and Pathogenesis

Symptoms and Signs

Investigations and Diagnosis

Treatment and Prognosis

Prevention

Introduction

Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety. The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity. However, there are certain types of ulcers where acid secretion is either normal or even low. Acidity is responsible for symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers (erosion of the lining of the stomach or intestines). Acidity tends to have a much higher incidence in highly emotional and nervous individuals. It is also more common in the developed and industrialised nations, though a recent increase in incidence has also occurred in the developing countries. Consumption of Alcohol, highly spicy foodstuffs, non-vegetarian diets, and Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's) also predispose to gastric acidity.

Cause and Pathogenesis

The stomach, intestines, and digestive glands secrete hydrochloric acid and various enzymes, including pepsin that break down and digest food. The stomach must also be protected from the same acid and enzymes, or it too can be attacked by the gastric juices. The acid may enter the lower part of the Oesophagus (Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux), due to some weakness in the normal sphincter mechanism that prevents such reflux. This causes heartburn. It commonly occurs after meals and is brought on by excess intra-abdominal pressure like lifting weights or straining.

Ulcers also occur as a result of over secretion of acid. This may happen when there is an imbalance between the digestive juices used by the stomach to break down food and the various factors that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum (the part of the small intestine that adjoins the stomach). A peptic ulcer is a raw area in the lining of the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer) or the stomach (gastric ulcer), whose protective mucosal lining has been eroded away by the gastric juices. Duodenal ulcers are three times more common than gastric ulcers. Hydrochloric acid, secreted in the stomach, is one of the factors in the development of ulcers, but is not solely responsible. Acid production in patients with duodenal ulcers tends to be higher than normal, while in those with stomach or gastric ulcers, it is usually normal or lower.

Excessively large amounts of acid secretion occur in certain situations, such as in a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, in which large amounts of secretion are stimulated by tumours located in the pancreas or duodenum. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Pepsin and hydrochloric acid cause damage to the stomach or duodenum if the stomach's protective system is altered or damaged. The mucous layer, which coats the stomach and duodenum, forms the first line of defence against acid and pepsin. The body also secretes bicarbonate into the mucous layer, which neutralises the acid. The defence system also consists of hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins, which help to keep the blood vessels in the stomach dilated, ensuring adequate blood flow. Lack of adequate blood flow to the stomach contributes to ulcers. Prostaglandins are also believed to stimulate bicarbonate and mucous production, which help protect the stomach. If any of these defence mechanisms are deficient, acid and pepsin can attack the stomach lining causing an ulcer.

Symptoms and Signs

Dyspepsia and heartburn are often the main symptoms of acidity. Heartburn is characterised by a deeply placed, burning pain in the chest behind the sternum (breast-bone). It occurs after meals and is brought on by excess intra-abdominal pressure like lifting weights or straining. It can also occur at night on lying down and is relieved when the individual sits up. The pain is very closely related to posture. Regurgitation of the gastric contents may also occur. The symptoms of ulcers are mainly pain that can be either localised or diffused. Sometimes it radiates to the back or to the chest.

The most common symptom is dyspepsia, a burning or aching pain in the upper abdomen sometimes described as a "stabbing feeling penetrating through the width of the gut". Rarely, there is no pain at all, but only a feeling of indigestion or nausea. Eating a meal usually relieves the pain in duodenal ulcer, but in a gastric ulcer there may be no change, or the pain may become worse. Peptic ulcer disease can sometimes occur without symptoms. Symptoms may also arise when there is no ulcer present, which is known as non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Investigations and Diagnosis

The clinical symptoms and history are very important aspects of diagnosis. Any present and past drug use, especially chronic use of NSAIDs, a history of family members with ulcers, alcohol consumption and smoking, stress assessment and analysis are very useful in determining the cause of the condition. A trial with acid-blocking medication is given with a four-week course of acid-suppressing drugs. In such cases, the symptoms may subside. If symptoms persist, then further testing is needed. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is done to detect the presence of ulcers. If Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is suspected, blood levels of gastrin should be measured. Barium Meal studies are also useful as these may show inflammation, active ulcer craters, or deformities and scarring due to ulcers. If an ulcer is present, a precautionary biopsy of the ulcer is usually taken to rule out malignancy as it is not uncommon for a malignancy to manifest as an ulcer.

Treatment and Prognosis

Identifying and avoiding the causative factors are essential in the treatment of acidity. A suitable diet must be strictly followed avoiding spicy, salty and acidic foods. Smoking and alcohol consumption must be stopped. Those with highly nervous and emotional disposition and those involved in high-stress jobs must be encouraged to take lifestyle modifying measures. Antacids provide immediate relief of symptoms by neutralising the excess acid secreted. A group of drugs called H2 Receptor Blockers cause the stomach to produce less acid by blocking histamine receptors (example: Drugs like Cimetidine , Ranitidine, Famotidine or Nizatidine). Another group of drugs called the Proton Pump Inhibitors, which selectively disable a mechanism in acid-making cells thus stopping acid production are more powerful and include Omeprazole and Lansoprazole. If ulcers have developed, they must be diagnosed rapidly and treated to prevent complications like perforations. Long term therapy lasting for weeks may be required to produce complete healing. Surgical methods of reducing the acid secretion like Vagotomy are being used with decreasing frequency.

Prevention

Prevention mainly consists of avoiding the known causative factors like alcohol consumption, spicy foods, drugs like NSAID's, steroids etc. Patients with highly nervous and emotional disposition and those involved in high-stress jobs must be given psychological treatment. Avoiding non-vegetarian diets is also useful in minimising symptoms of acidity.

dfdgf

Information on diabetes

What causes diabetes?

Insufficient production of insulin (either absolutely or relative to the body's needs), production of defective insulin (which is uncommon), or the inability of cells to use insulin properly and efficiently leads to hyperglycemia and diabetes. This latter condition affects mostly the cells of muscle and fat tissues, and results in a condition known as "insulin resistance." This is the primary problem in type 2 diabetes. The absolute lack of insulin, usually secondary to a destructive process affecting the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas, is the main disorder in type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, there also is a steady decline of beta cells that adds to the process of elevated blood sugars. Essentially, if someone is resistant to insulin, the body can, to some degree, increase production of insulin and overcome the level of resistance. After time, if production decreases and insulin cannot be released as vigorously, hyperglycemia develops.

Glucose is a simple sugar found in food. Glucose is an essential nutrient that provides energy for the proper functioning of the body cells. Carbohydrates are broken down in the small intestine and the glucose in digested food is then absorbed by the intestinal cells into the bloodstream, and is carried by the bloodstream to all the cells in the body where it is utilized. However, glucose cannot enter the cells alone and needs insulin to aid in its transport into the cells. Without insulin, the cells become starved of glucose energy despite the presence of abundant glucose in the bloodstream. In certain types of diabetes, the cells' inability to utilize glucose gives rise to the ironic situation of "starvation in the midst of plenty". The abundant, unutilized glucose is wastefully excreted in the urine.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by specialized cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. (The pancreas is a deep-seated organ in the abdomen located behind the stomach.) In addition to helping glucose enter the cells, insulin is also important in tightly regulating the level of glucose in the blood. After a meal, the blood glucose level rises. In response to the increased glucose level, the pancreas normally releases more insulin into the bloodstream to help glucose enter the cells and lower blood glucose levels after a meal. When the blood glucose levels are lowered, the insulin release from the pancreas is turned down. It is important to note that even in the fasting state there is a low steady release of insulin than fluctuates a bit and helps to maintain a steady blood sugar level during fasting. In normal individuals, such a regulatory system helps to keep blood glucose levels in a tightly controlled range. As outlined above, in patients with diabetes, the insulin is either absent, relatively insufficient for the body's needs, or not used properly by the body. All of these factors cause elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia).

About diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.

Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.

What to Do if You Think You Have H1N1 Swine Flu Virus

What to Do if You Think You Have H1N1 Swine Flu Virus


If you've got fever, cough, or one of the other symptoms of the flu, you may be wondering if you have contracted the H1N1 swine flu virus. The reality is that it isn't possible to know unless specialized testing is ordered, and for uncomplicated cases of the flu in non-hospitalized patients, routine testing for the H1N1 virus is not being carried out.

Experts recommend that people who suspect that they have H1N1 infection stay home and avoid contact with other people. The only time you should leave home is to access medical care if needed. That said, it is important to remember that the vast majority of flu cases (even H1N1 cases) produce only a mild illness for which doctor's visits and/or antiviral drugs are not necessary. So, the presence of cough and fever in an individual who is not at high risk for complications (see below) and who does not have warning signs of a medical emergency should not be a reason to visit an ER. The emergency department should be used for the treatment of people who are very sick or who have life-threatening emergencies (listed below). If you're in doubt, a call to your health-care practitioner can help you decide whether or not you need to access medical care.