Brain Cancer - Facts, Causes, and Symptoms

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is a disease of the brain in which cancer cells (malignant)  arise in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue (tumor)  that interferes with brain functions like muscle control, sensation, memory and other body functions. Tumor composed of cancer cells are called malignant tumors, and those composed of mainly noncancerous cells called benign tumors. Cancer cells that develop from brain tissue are called primary brain tumors while tumors that spread from other body sites to the brain are termed metastatic brain tumors. Statistics suggest that the brain cancer occurs infrequently and is likely to develop in about 22,000 new people per year with about 13,000 deaths as estimated by the NCI (National Cancer Institute).

The Facts on Brain Cancer

• Brain cancer can arise from many different types of brain cells (primary brain cancer) or when cancer cells from another part of the body spread (metastasize) to the brain. 
  

• Causes of this cancer are difficult to prove; avoiding compounds linked to cancer production is advised. 
• Symptoms of the brain cancer vary but often include wekness, seizures, difficulty walking, and headaches. Other common symptoms are vomiting, nausea, blurry vision, or achange in a person's alertness, mental capacity, memory, speech, or personality. 
• Tests for developing brain cancer involve a history, physical exam, and usually a CT or MRI brain scan; sometimes a brain tissue biopsy is done. 
• Treatment are directed by a team of doctors and are designed for the individual patient: treatment can/may include surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy,often condition. 
• Side effects of treatments range from mild to severe, and patients need to discuss plans with their treatment team members to understand potential side effects and their prognosis. 
• Depending on type of the developing brain cancer and overall health status of  the patients, brain cancer frequently has only a fair to poor prognosis; children have a somewhat better prognosis. 

Symptoms of Brain Cancer

The exact cause of brain cancer is unknown. Brain cancer that originates in the brain is called a primary brain tumor. Not all brain tumor cause symptoms, and some ( such as tumors of the pituitary gland that cause no symptoms) are found mainly after death, with the death not caused by the brain tumor. The symptoms of brain tumor are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses as well. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing. Early symptoms may not occur, if they do, they occur for the following reasons and are listed below:

• The symptoms are usually caused by the tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of the brain and keeping them from functioning normally. 
• The symptoms of primary brain cancers are similar in women, men, and children. 
• Some of the symptoms are caused by swelling in brain primarily caused by the tumor or its surrounding inflammation.

Below are most common symptoms:

• Headache 

• Weakness

• Difficulty waking 

• Seizures 

Other nonspecific symptoms and signs include:

• Nausea, vomiting 
• Difficulty in speech
• Altered mental status: changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness
• Gradual changes in intellectual or emotional capacity. 

In many people, the onset of these symptoms is very gradual and may be overlooked by both the person with the brain tumor and the person's family members, even for long time periods. However these symptoms appear more rapidly. In some instances, the person acts as if he or she is having a stroke. In some patients, the symptoms be more pronounced if the cancer is located mainly in a specific brain lobe that is usually responsible for certain body functions. For example, the behavioral changes may predominate in frontal-lobe cancers while difficulty with speech or movements may predominate in cancers within the parietal lobe.

Causes of Brain Cancer


Primary brain tumors arise from many types of brain tissue [ for example glial cells, astrocytes, and other brain cell types ]. Metastatic brain cancer is caused by the spread of cancer cells from a body organ to the brain. However the causes for the change from normal cells to cancer cells in both metastatic and primary brain tumors are not fully understood. Data gathered by research scientists show that people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop brain cancer.

Individuals with risk factors like having a job in an oil refinery, handlers of jet fuel or chemicals like benzene, chemists, embalmers, or rubber- industry workers, show higher rates of brain cancer than the general population. Some families have several members with brain cancer, but heredity as a cause for brain tumor has not been proven. Other risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection (HIV) have been suggested but not proven to cause brain cancer. There is no enough evidence that brain cancer is contagious, caused by head trauma, or caused by cell phone use. Although many lay press and web articles claim that aspartame ( artificial sweetener) caused brain cancer, the FDA maintains that it doesn't cause brain cancer and base their findings on over 100 toxicological and clinical studies regarding the sweetener's safety.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease which only affect men. The prostate cancer begins to grow in the prostate  - a gland in in the male reproductive system.  Deciding on treatment can be difficult, partly because the options for treatment today are too much better than they were 10 years ago but also because not enough reliable data are available on which to base the decisions.  According, scientifically controlled, long term studies are still needed to compare the benefits and risk of the various treatments. To decide on treatment for an individual patient, doctors categorize prostate cancers as organ-confined [localized to the gland], locally advanced [ a large prostate tumor or one that has spread only locally], or metastatic [ spread distantly or widely ]. The treatment options for organ-confined prostate cancer or locally advanced prostate cancer usually include surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, cryotherapy, combinations of some of these treatments, and watchful waiting. A cure  for metastatic prostate cancer is, unfortunately, unattainable at the present time. The treatment for metastatic prostate cancer, which include chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, therefore, are considered palliative. By definition, the aims of palliative treatments are, at best, to slow the growth of the tumor and relieve the symptoms of the patient. 


Surgery of Prostate cancer

The surgical treatment for prostate cancer is common and referred to as a radical prostatectomy, which the removal of the entire prostate gland. The entire prostate, seminal vesicles, and ampulla of the vas deferens are removed, and the bladder is connected to the membranous urethra to allow free urination.


The radical prostatectomy is the most common treatment for organ confined or localized prostate cancer in the U.S  This operation is currently performed in about 36 percent of patients with organ-confined (localized) prostate cancer.  American Cancer Society estimates a 90 percent cure rate nationwide when the disease is confined to the prostate and the entire gland is removed. The potential complications of radical prostatectomy include the risk of anesthesia,  local bleeding, impotence (loss of sexual function ) in 30 percent to 70 percent of patients, and incontinence (loss of control of urination) in 3 percent to 10 percent of patients.

Great strides have been made in lowering the frequency of the complications of radical prostatectomy. These advances have been accomplished largely through improved anesthesia and surgical techniques. The improved surgical technique, in turn, stem from a better understanding of the key anatomy and physiology of sexual potency and incontinence. Of men who undergo these newer techniques, 98 percent are continent, and 60 percent are able to have an erection.

Radical prostatectomy can be performed by often surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or by robotic surgery [ robotic assisted radical prostatectomy ]. Now a days almost 70 percent of radical prostatectomy surgeries in the U.S are performed using the of the Da Vinci robotic system.  For robot-assisted surgery, five small incisions are made in the abdomen through which the surgeon inserts tube like instruments, including a small camera. This creates a magnifies three-dimensional view of the surgical area. The instruments are attached to a mechanical device, and the surgeon sits at a console to achieve greater precision in surgery. Studies have showed that traditional open prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy have had similar outcomes related to cancer-free survival rates, urinary continence, and sexual function. However, in terms of blood loss during surgery and pain and recovery after the procedure, robotic surgery has been shown to a significant advantage.

If post-treatment impotence doesn't occur, it can be treated by sildenafil (Viagra) tablets, injection of such medications are alprostadil (Caverject) into the penis, various devices to pump up or stiffen the penis, or a penile prosthesis ( an artificial penis) . Incontinence after treatment often improves with time, special  exercises,and to improve the control of urination. However incontinence requires implanting an artificial sphincter around the urethra. The artificial sphincter is made up of muscle or others material and is designed to control the flow of urine through the urethra.

Transurethral resection of the prostate ( TURP ) involves the removal of a part of the prostate by an instrument inserted through the urethra. It is used as an alternative to prostatectomy in patients with extensive disease or those who aren't fit  to undergo radical prostatectomy to remove tissue that is blocking urine flow. This is often referred to as a channel TURP.

I hope that you will learn more after reading this article about treatment of prostate cancer. 

Prostate Cancer - Causes and Symptoms

 Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease which only affects men. Cancer begins to grow in the prostate - gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It makes most of the semen that carries sperm. The walnut - sized gland is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethar, the tube that carries urine from the bladder.

Prostate cancer is a major health concern for American men. Prostate cancer is rare before age 50, and experts believe that most elderly men have traces of it.

In 2013, about 238,500 new cases will be diagnose diagnosed in the U.S.A and about 29,700 will die for it.  African - American men are more likely to get prostate cancer and have the highest death rate. In other parts of the world -- notably Asia, Africa, and Latin America -- prostate cancer is rare.

Prostate cancer , it is usually a very slow growing cancer, often causing no symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Most men with prostate cancer die of other causes, and many never know that they have the disease. But once prostate cancer begins to grow quickly or spread outside the prostate, it is dangerous. Developing prostate in its early stages [ when it is only found in the prostate gland] can be treated with very good chances for survival. Fortunately, about 85 percent of American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in an early stage of the disease.

Cancer that has spread beyond the prostate such as lymph nodes, bones, and lungs is not curable, but it may be controlled for many years. Because of the many advances in available treatments, most men whose prostate cancer becomes widespread can expect to live five years or more. Some men with advanced prostate cancer live a normal life and die of another cause like heart disease.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer, the cause of this cancer is unknown, but the cancer is not thought to be related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The risk (predisposing) factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics (heredity), hormonal influences, and such environmental factors as toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. The chances of prostate cancer increase with age. Thus, prostate cancer under age 40 is extremely rare, while it is common in men older than 80 years of age. Some studies have suggested that among men over 80 years of age, 50 percent to 80 percent of them may have developing prostate cancer. More than 80 percent of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65 years of age.

African-American men are 1.6 times more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer. They are also 2.4 times more likely to die from their disease as compared to white men of a similar age. These differences in diagnosis and death rates are, however, more likely to reflect a difference in factors like environmental exposure, lifestyle, diet, and health-seeking behavior rather than any racial susceptibility to prostate cancer. Recent studies indicate that this disparity is progressively decreasing with chances of complete cure in men undergoing treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer [cancer that is limited to within prostate without spread outside the confines of the prostate gland], irrespective of race.

Genetics, as just mentioned, plays a role in risk of a prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is more common among family members of individuals with prostate cancer. This risk may be 2 to 3 times greater than the risk for men without a family history of the disease. Earlier age at diagnosis (<60 years) in a first-degree relative more than one relative also increases the risk for prostate cancer.

Sexual transmitted infections can be the risk factor for developing prostate cancer. Men with a history of sexually transmitted infections have a 1.4 time greater chance of developing prostate cancer as compared men without this history.

Testosterone, the male hormone produced by the testicles, directly stimulates  growth of both normal prostate tissue and prostate cancer cells.  Not surprisingly, therefore, this hormone is thought to be involved in the development and growth of prostate cancer. The important implication of the role of this hormone is that decreasing the level of testosterone should be effective in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer.


Signs and symptoms 

Prostate cancer frequently does not produce any symptoms until the condition is quite advanced. Often it is diagnosed after treatment is sought for problems with urinary function. Symptoms of prostate cancer are often similar to those of benign(non-cancerous) prostate conditions.

Below are some more common symptoms:

• Pain or difficulty when passing urine
• Decreased force of the urine stream 
• Passing urine more frequently[ especially at night ]
• Blood in the urine 
• Inability to pass urine [ this can occur as the cancer enlarges, blocking the urethra).

It is possible for the cancer cells to spread from the prostate gland to other areas of the body where further tumours  can develop. The most common places for prostate cancer to spread to are the lymph nodes of the pelvis and bones of spine. Spread of the cancer can produce symptoms like lower back pain. 

Diagnosis and Prevention of Lung Cancer

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer 

Physicians use information revealed by symptoms and several other procedures in order to diagnose lung cancer. Common imaging include chest X-rays, bronchoscopy [ a thin tube with a camera on one end], CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans. Physician will also conduct a physical examination, a chest examination, and  an analysis of blood in the sputum. All of these procedures are designed to detect where the tumor is located and what additional organs may be affected by it. Although the above diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If biopsy confirms developing lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is small cell lung cancer or  non small cell lung cancer.

After a diagnosis is made, an oncologist will determine the stage of cancer by finding out how far the cancer has been spread. The stage determines which choices will be available for treatment and informs prognosis. The common cancer staging method is called the TNM system. T(1-4) indicates the size and direct extent of the primary tumar, N(0-3() indicates whether the cancer has metastasized to other organs in the body. A small tumor that has not spread to lymph modes or distant can be staged as ( T1, N0, M0), for example.

For the non small cell lung cancer, TNM description lead to a simpler categorization of stages. These stages are labeled from I to IV, where lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less. More specifically-

Stage I is when the tumor is found only is one lung and in no lymph nodes.
Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.
Stage IIIa is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall, and diaphragm, on the same side as the infected lung.
Stage IIIb is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.
Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.

Small cell lung cancer, it has two stages: limited of extensive. In the limited stage, tumor exists in one lung and other organs in the body.

Prevention of Lung cancer

There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer. But you can reduce the risk of lung cancer if you maintain these  tips are below:


1. Do not smoke: If you have never smoked, then do not start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this one of the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they can know how to react to peer pressure.

2. Stop smoking: Stop smoking now. Quitting reduce of the lung cancer, even if you have smoked for years. Discuss a  doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.

3.Try to  eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits: You have to choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins in pill form, as that may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.

4. Try to avoid carcinogens at work: Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Follow your employer's precautions. For instance, if you are given a face mask for protection, a;ways were it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect your self at work. Your risk of lung damage from workplace carcinogens increases if you smoke.

5. Exercise: Aim for at least 150 a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. Check with your doctor first if you are not already exercising regularly. Start out slowly and continue adding more activities. Swimming and walking are good choices. Try to add exercise throughout your day - park farther away from work and walk and walk the rest of the way or take the stairs rather than the elevator. Strength training is also important. Try to do strength training exercise at least twice a week.

6. Avoid secondhand smoke: If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her to quit. At the very least, ask them to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke free option.

Lung Cancer - causes and sympotoms

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that may start off one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells don't develop into healthy lung tissue, they divide rapidly and form tumors. As tumors become larger and more numerous, they undermine the lung's ability to provide the bloodstream with oxygen. Tumors remain in one place and don't appear to spread are known as "benign tumors". Malignant tumors, the more dangerous ones, spread to other parts of the body either through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Metastasis refers to cancer spreading beyond its site of origin to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads it's too much harder to treat successfully.

The primary lung cancer originates in the lungs, while secondary lung cancer starts somewhere else in the body, metastasizes, and reaches the lungs. They are considered as different types of cancers and are not treated in  a same way. According to WHO( World Health Organization), 7.6 million deaths globally each year are caused by cancer, cancer represents 13 percent of all global deaths. According to the National Cancer Institute, by the end of 2012 there will have been 226,160 new lung cancer diagnoses and 160,340 lung cancer related deaths in U.S.A.

Lung Cancer Facts 

• Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in U.S.A and worldwide. 
• Passive exposure to tobacco smoke can cause lung cancer.
• Cigarette smoking is the principal risk factor for development of lung cancer. 

• The two types of lung cancer, which grow and spread differently, are the small cell lung cancers(SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

• The stage of lung cancer refers to the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body.

• Treatment of lung cancer can involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy and newer experimental methods. 
• The general prognosis of lung cancer is poor, with overall survival rates of about 16 percent at five years.
• Smoking cessation is the most important measure that can prevent the development of lung cancer. 

Causes of lung cancer

Smoking is the main risk factor for developing long cancer and is responsible for more than 80 percent of lung cancers. The longer you have smoked and the more you smoke, the more likely you are to get lung cancer. If you stop smoking before cancer cells develop, lung tissue that has been damaged by smoking will start to repair. An ex-smoker's risk will not be as low as that of a person who never smoked, but over time, their risk will go down. Cigar smoking and pipe smoking are almost as likely  to cause lung cancer  as cigarette smoking. 


Even secondhand smoke, the kind inhaled from nearby smokers, can cause developing lung cancer. Non-smokers who are married to smokers have a 30 percent greater risk of  lung cancer than spouses of non-smokers.

Living in an environment with high air pollution or working with radioactive minerals or asbestos can also increase the risk of cancer.  Research helped us to understand how these risk factors produce certain changes in the DNA of lung cells. These changes cause the cells to grow abnormally and form cancers.

DNA is the genetic material that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. Some genes (parts of our DNA) contain instruction for controlling when cells grow and divide. The risk factors discussed earlier can trigger changes, also called mutations, in these genes that result in cancer. A risk for some types of cancer (e.g. ovarian, colorectal, breast, and several others) can be inherited from parents. Inherited gene mutations are not though to be a cause of very many lung cancers.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

It is important to report any unusual physical feeling to your doctor. Often, these unusual feelings can be attributed to other causes like bronchitis. But a doctor should check anything that is unusual or worrisome. The signs ans symptoms of lungs cancer can take years to develop and they  may not appear until the disease is advanced.

Symptoms of lung cancer that are in chest:

• Pain in the chest, shoulder, or back unrelated to pain from coughing
• Coughing, especially if it persists or becomes intense 
• A change in color or volume of sputum 
• Shortness of breath 
• Changes in voice 
• Harsh sounds with each breath (stridor)
• Recurrent lung problems, such as pneumonia  or bronchitis 
• Coughing up phlegm or mucus, especially if it is tinged with blood 
• Coughing up blood 

When the original lung cancer has spread, a person may feel symptoms in other places in the body. Common places for lung cancer to spread include other parts of the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, brain, liver, and adrenal glands.

Symptoms of lung cancer that may occur elsewhere in the body:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite 
• Muscle wasting 
• Bone or joint pain, headaches
• Neck or facial swelling 
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots 

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one kind of cancer that develops from breast cells. Breast cancer usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. A malignant tumor can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer that started off in the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma, while one that developed from the ducts is called ductal carcinoma. Breast cancer is the most common in female worldwide. It accounts for 16 percent of all female and 22.9 percent of invasive cancers in women. 18.2 percent of all cancer deaths worldwide, including both males and females, are from breast cancer. Although breast cancer is primarily a disease of women, about 1 percent of breast cancers occur in men.

Breast cancer rates are much higher in developed country compared to developing ones. Actually  there are many reasons for this, with possibly life-expectancy being one of the key factors - breast cancer is more common in elderly women, women in the richest countries live much longer than those in the poorest countries. The different eating habits of females in rich and poor countries are contributory factors, experts believe.

The chance of developing breast cancer for a woman in the United States  over the course of her lifetime is about 1  in 8. The death rates from this much-publicized disease continue to drop with better early detection and constant advancements in treatment. More than 261,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to the American Cancer Society, making it the second most common malignancy in women after skin cancer. While all cancers arise from an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, each patient's treatment and prognosis can differ radically depending on her type of breast cancer, how advanced it is and a variety of other factors.

Causes of Breast Cancer:

Many women who develop breast cancer have no risk factors other than age and gender. Gender is the biggest risk because this cancer occur mostly in women. Age is the another critical factor. Breast cancer may occur at any age, though the risk of breast cancer increases with age. The average woman at 30 years of age has one chance in 280 of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. This chance increases  to one in 70 for a woman 40 years of age, and to one in 40 at 50 years of age. A 60 year old woman has a one in 30 chance of developing breast cancer in the nest 10 years. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African-Anerican in the U.S.A.

Hormonal causes of breast cancer

Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer.

Women who start their periods at an early age [12 or younger] or experience a late menopause [55 or more] have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Conversely, being older at the time of the first menstrual period and early menopause tend to protect one from breast cancer.

Using oral contraceptive pill means that a woman has a slightly increased risk of breast cancer than woman who has never used them. This risk appears to decrease and return to normal with time once the pills are stopped.

Having a child before 30 years of age may provide some protection, and having no children may increase the risk of breast cancer.

A large study conducted by the Women's Health Initiative  showed an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who were on a combination of estrogen and progesterone for many years. Therefore, women who are considering hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms need to discuss the risk versus the benefits with their health care provider.

Genetic causes of breast cancer

Family history is known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk will be highest if the effective relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives [mother, daughter, sister] are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives[grandmother, aunt] with breast cancer may also increase risk. In men breast cancer increases the risk for all his close female relatives. Having relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer also increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

There is great interest in genes linked to breast cancer. About 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancer are believed to be hereditary, as a result of mutations, changes, in certain genes that are passed along in families.

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 are abnormal genes that,  when inherited, markedly increase risk of beast cancer to a lifetime risk estimated between 40 percent to 85 percent. Woman with these abnormal genes also have an increased likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. Women who have BRCA1gene tend to develop breast cancer at an early age.
• Testing for these genes is expensive and may not be covered by insurance. 
• The issues around testing are complicated. Women who are interested in testing should discuss their risk factors with their health care providers.

Drink more water

Water is essential for human health, over 60 percent of human body consists of water. We know that water is good for us, but often the reasons are a little fuzzy. And even if we know why we should drink water, it is not a habit that many people form. But there are some powerful reasons to drink lots of water every day, and forming the habit is not hard, with a little focus. Thing about it is, we do not often focus on this habit. We end up drinking coffee, and lots of soda, alcohol, not to mention fruit juices and teas and milk and a bunch of other possibilities. Or just as often, we do not drink enough fluids, and we become dehydrated--and that is not good for your health.

Below have been discussed about some health benefits of drinking more water.

weight loss: People who have over weight, they have tension with this over weight, because it me be the causes of heart diseases, diabetes,or other disease. But good news is that water is one of best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that does not have any calories. But It is also great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we are actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no carbs, no sugar. Drinking plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.

Skin care: Drinking water is good for our skin, that can clean up our skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It will not happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin.

Good for your heart: Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in may 1, 2002 American journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41 percent less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.

Reduce the risk of cancer: Drinking a healthy amount of water has been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50 percent and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Prevention of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery, soft stools with or without abdominal bloating, pressure, and cramps commonly referred to as gas. Diarrhea can come on suddenly, run its course, and be helped with home care to prevent complications like dehydration.


Prevention of Diarrhea:

Many cases of diarrhea are spread from person to person. The following precautions can help an individual avoid diarrhea and other viral or bacterial infection:

• Wash your hands before and after preparing food. In addition, wash your hands after handling uncooked meat, using toilet, changing diapers, sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose. 

• After putting soap on your hands, rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. 

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you can not get to a sink.  Apply the hand sanitizer as you would hand lotion, making sure to completely cover  the fronts and backs of both hands. Use a product that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Practice safe food-handling. Always wash hands before and after handling food.

• Use care when preparing raw poultry or meat. Food should be cooked to the recommended temperatures. Avoid raw or rare meat and poultry. Utensils coming in contact with raw food should be cleaned in soap and hot water. 
• Fruits and vegetables consumed raw should be thoroughly rinsed in clean water. 
• Unpasteurized(raw) milk may be contaminated with bacteria and should be avoided. Unpasteurized fruit juice or cider should generally be avoided even if the source is not known because the fruit may have come in contact with contaminated animal feces in the orchard.

Diarrhea commonly affects people who travel to countries where inadequate sanitation and contaminated food and water encountered. To reduce your risk:

• Eat hot, well-cooked foods. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself. 
• If you are traveling to a developing country for an extend period of time, ask your doctor about starting antibiotics before you leave on your trip. In certain cases, this may reduce the risk that you will develop traveler's diarrhea.

If we are conscious about diarrhea and know how to prevent diarrhea, then we must be away from diarrhea.

Prevention of Dysentery

Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to sever diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces. Patients typically experience mild to severe abdominal pain or stomach cramps. In some cases, untreated dysentery can be life-treating, especially if the infected person can not replace lost fluids fast enough.

Tips for how to prevent dysentery:

Below are some very important tips that will make you conscious about dysentery and you can learn how to prevent dysentery.

1. Maintain good personal hygiene: Washing your hands regularly is a vital habits that will help you avoid many diseases and infections. Please, wash your hand before eating, and preparing food. Wash you hand after using toilets, looking after a dysentery patient, changing diapers for children, handing pet animals, gardening or touching soil.

2. Be careful of safe sex: Sexual in intercourse that involves oral or anal contact can cause amoebic dysentery. You have to wash your hand with soap and warm water, as this will help you to prevent an infection to some extent. It is ideal that you refrain from sexual activities that involve anal contact, as this will make dysentery prevention easier.

3. Try to drink sterilized water: You have to sure that the water you use while drinking, brushing your teeth, and washing vegetables and fruits is free from any dysentery causing germs. This can be achieved through proper water treatment, which is an important dysentery prevention technique.

• Never drink untreated tap water before cleansing it.
• Boil water 10-15 minutes.
• Use water purifying tablets 15 minutes before drinking untreated water. 
• Use water filters that have been specially designed for 'Cyst Removal' 

Once the water have been treated to remove any kind of dysentery causing germs, store it in a clean place and keep it well covered.

4. Try to practice proper sewage disposal:  Dysentery causing organisms are spread through the faces of individual who are infected. This microorganisms are excreted along with the faces and contaminate the soil and water, making them potential sources of infection. For this reason, it is important to properly dispose the faces without letting it mingle with other elements. Care should be taken to ensure that the sewage does not contaminate surface or ground water, or any other water body that people use for consumption.  Untreated sewage should not be used as fertilizers as this too can contaminate crops, fruits, and vegetables that reach humans and trigger an  infection.

5. Try to eat safe food: Your food habits can also cause amoebic dysentery . Following the below measures can help you avoid contracting the infection.

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked food items 
• Wash vegetables and fruits with safe and clean water, before eating 
• Choose ice creams or drinking made of safe water
• Never use unpasteurized milk or dairy products 
• Avoid eating food from street vendors for the prevention of dysentery.

6. Take precautions when you travel: When you travel to tropical counties with poor sanitary conditions, take extra care and follow these simple measures to keep dysentery symptoms at bay.

• Don't eat or drink food items sold by street vendors 
• Drink only boiled water or bottled water 
• Do not have salads if you are not sure about their quality. 
• Do not drink from public water because it may be made from local water, you do not know about that. 
• Don't drink milk or eat cheese or dairy products that have not been pasteurised  ( a process that involves heating to destroy unwanted micro-organisms. 
• Don't eat fresh fruit or vegetables that can not be peeled before eating. 
• Do not have ice in your drinks because it may be made from the local water, that may not be pure.

It is equally important to take responsibility for the good health of others around you too. You can do this by following some simple dysentery prevention measures.

• If you are a healthcare worker taking caring care of a dysentery patient, ensure that you wash your hand thoroughly with soap after tending to a patient.
• Child care employees should use gloves when changing diapers for children and should wash their hands after tending to every child
• Never defecate near water bodies and ensure that your sewage system is well established 
• Don't attend any public gathering or report at work if you have dysentery, in order to minimize the chances of spreading infection.

As there is no immunization that can protect patient against amoebic dysentery, it is important that you adopt dysentery prevention measures for preventing the disease - within your house and in your community. On occasion, dysentery causes manage to get past the prevention measures taken. In such cases, opting for timely amoebic dysentery treatment is recommended.

About Health Benefits of Almonds

Almonds are healthy nuts and are loaded with many essential nutrients. Healthy almonds are good for your health and are perfect for a quick meal anytime. The health benefits of almonds are extensive, and they are frequently used as a healthy solution from constipation, respiratory disorders, heart disorders, anemia, coughs, and diabetes. It also help to maintain healthy hair, healthy skin, and dental care.

Almonds are found in place like Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iran. This highly nutritional nut is a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also has Zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Compared to all other nuts, almonds are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components.

Below are about health benefits of almonds:

Reduce risk of heart attack:  Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack. Almonds contain minerals like potassium, folic acid, protein, monosaturated fats and vitamin E. Hence eating them can significantly reduce your chances of heart diseases.

Good for brain:  Almonds are source of many nutrients which help in the development and health of the human brain. Almonds have been connected to a higher intellectual level and they have long been considered an essential food item for growing children. Almond, it also contain two vital brain nutrients, L-carnitine, and riboflavin, which have been shown to increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathways and a decreased occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Studies shown that almonds in the diet, and almond's oil, is nutritive to the overall health and functioning of the nervous system.

Regulation of cholesterol: Regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and they reduce the level of low density lipoproteins  (LDL). This balance is vital to a healthy cholesterol level, and a reduction of LDL(bad cholesterol) is always a good thing.

Strong bone: Almonds are a fantastic source of many vitamins and minerals, and phosphorous is definitely counted among them. Phosphorous can have a considerable impact on the strength and durability of bones and teeth, while also preventing the onset of age-related conditions like osteoporosis.

Non-Medical treatment of insomnia

Non-medical therapies are relaxation therapy, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, and sleep restriction. These also are referred to as cognitive behavioral therapies.

Relaxation Therapy

Relaxation therapy involves measures such as meditation and muscle relaxation or dimming the lights and playing sooting music prior to going to bed.

Stimulus Control

It  consists of a few simple steps that may help patients with chronic insomnia.

• Don't watch TV, eat, read or worry in bed. Your bed should be used only for sleep and sexual activity. 

• You have to go to bed when you feel sleepy.

• If you do not fall asleep 30 minutes after going to bed , get up and go to another room and resume your relaxation techniques. 

• You have to set your alarm clock to get up at a certain time each morning, even on weekends. Please, don't over sleep. 

• Avoid taking long naps in the day time. 

Sleep Hygiene 

Sleep hygiene is one of the components of behavioral therapy for insomnia. Some simple steps we can take to improve a patient's sleep quality and quantity. These steps include:

• Exercise regularly at least 30-40 minutes.

• Sleep as much as you need to feel rested.

• Avoid forcing yourself to sleep.

• Keep a regular sleep and awakening schedule.

• Do not smoke, especially in the evening. 

• Don't go to bed hungry. 

• Adjust the environment in the room.

• Don't go to bed with your worries. Try to resolve them before bedtime.

Sleep Restriction

Restricting your time in bed only to sleep may improve your quality of sleep. This therapy is called sleep restriction. This is achieved by averaging the time in bed that the patients spends only sleeping. Rigid bedtime and rise time are set, and the patients is forced to get up at the rising time even if they feel sleepy. This can help a patients sleep better the next night because of the sleep deprivation from the previous night. Sleep restriction has been helpful in some causes.

Other simple measures that can be helpful to treat insomnia include:

• Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime 

• Be conscious about light, noise, and undesirable room temperature that can disrupt sleep. Shift workers and night workers especially must address these factors. Dimming the lights in the bedroom, relaxation, limiting the noise, and avoiding stressful takes before going to bed can be beneficial.

• Avoid doing work in the bedroom that should be done somewhere else.

If we are conscious about insomnia or sleep disorders or sleep problem and take necessary steps and how to prevent or resolve then we will be free from this type of problem.

Prevention of Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Insomnia can occur in response to a behavioral, physical, or mental health issue. Physical, psychological, environmental, and modifiable lifestyle factor can all play a role in preventing the condition, or alleviating the symptoms if it occurs.

There are many causes of insomnia. Below are some steps and tips for preventing insomnia and sleep disorders.

Treat Underlying Disease 

Pain and chronic disease can cause insomnia for a variety of reasons. Diseases or conditions that may disrupt sleep include depression, diabetes and chronic renal failure, chronic lung disease, alcohol abuse and alcoholism or drug abuse and drug addiction, arthritis, heart disease, gastric ulcer, sleep apnea, and chronic pain.

Please, discuss with your doctor whether these conditions or any other physical problems can be treated. Proper and timely treatment can reduce symptoms and often lead to an improved night's sleep.


Avoid Nicotine, Caffeine, and Alcohol

Tobacco use disorder and caffeine stimulate the nervous system. Although this may give you a sense of energy during the day, these substances may interfere with your ability to go to sleep at night. Alcohol can depress nervous system. Although alcohol makes you feel drowsy at bedtime, it interferes with normal sleep patterns during the night and causes restlessness. You must avoid using tobacco products and drinking beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol in the afternoon or evening. They can create a vicious cycle of poor sleep at night and an increased use of stimulants during the day to counteract the drowsiness from poor  sleep.

Reduce Stress

Stress is considered by the most  sleep experts to be the number one cause of short-term sleeping difficulties.  Some common triggers include job or school related pressures, a family or marriage problem, and a serious illness or death of close person. Exercise regularly that helps relieve stress. Other techniques that may reduce stress are meditation and deep breathing.

Adjust Daily Activities

Habits and activities that you do during the day time or night can interfere with getting a good nights' sleep. Set your time schedule in order to avoid eating a large meal prior to bedtime, exercising close to bedtime, working or doing other mentally intense activities right before or after getting into bed.

Follow Bedtime Rituals If You Work at night Shift

Night shift work forces you to try to sleep when activities around you and your own "biological rhythms" signal you to be awake. One study shows that night shift workers are 2-5 times more likely than are employees with regular, daytime hours to fall asleep on the job because of poor sleep quality. If you work the night shift, speak with your employer about how to minimize the dangers of fatigue. You have to discuss with your family members so that you can create a proper environment to sleep in the day time.

Create Better Sleep Habits and Environment

A distracting sleep environment, such as a room that is too hot or cold, too noisy, or too brightly lit may be a barrier to sound sleep. Interruptions from pets, children, or other family members can also disrupt sleep. Other influences may be the comfort and size of your bed and the habits of your sleep partner. Try to create an environment that is restful by painting your room a light blue or green, using shades to block light, and playing soothing music or white noise like fan. Seek medical help for a sleeping partner who snores loudly, or consider separate sleeping arrangements.

Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it is time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a warm bath can help. Avoid "clock watching" after going to bed and avoid drinking fluids just before bedtime.

If we want to be lead a happy life then we need to acquire knowledge about how to prevent all types of disease such as sleep disorders , insomnia, sleep walking, sleep apnea etc. and we must be conscious about diseases and their prevention , after that we can lead a happy and healthy life. I think that you will learn more after reading this article about prevention of insomnia. 

Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. It include wide range of sleep disorders, from lack of quantity of sleep to lack of quality of sleep. There are two types of insomnia primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition [like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn] ; pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using like alcohol.

Causes of insomnia

Insomnia may be caused  by a host of different reasons. These causes may be divided into situational factors , medical or psychiatric conditions, or primary sleep problems. Insomnia could also be classified by the duration of the symptoms into transient, short-term, chronic. Transient insomnia generally last less than seven  days; short-term insomnia usually lasts for about one to three weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for more  than  three weeks.

Many of the causes of transient and short-term insomnia are similar and they include-

•  Jet lag

• Changes in shift work

• Uncomfortable room temperature

• Excessive or unpleasant noise

• Stressful situation in life

• Withdrawal from drug, alcohol, sedative, or stimulant medications

• Insomnia related to high altitude(mountains)

Uncontrolled physical symptoms [fever, pain, breathing problems, nasal congestion, cough, diarrhea etc ] may also cause someone to have insomnia.

Causes of long-term or chronic insomnia 

The majority of chronic or long-term insomnia are usually linked to an underling psychiatric or physiologic condition.

Psychological causes of insomnia

The most common psychological problems theses may lead to insomnia include:

•  Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress [mental, emotional, etc.]

• Schizophrenia

• Mania [bipolar disorder]

Insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness. As mentioned earlier, depression and anxiety are strongly associated with insomnia. Out of the all the other secondary medical and psychological causes of insomnia, anxiety and depression are the most common.

Physiological causes of insomnia

Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. The following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:-

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Chronic pain syndromes

• Congestive heart failure

• Acid reflux disease[GERD]

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]

• Nocturnal asthma [asthma with night time breathing symptoms]

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Brain tumors, strokes, or trauma to the brain

Symptoms of insomnia 

Doctors associate a variety of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often the symptoms intertwine with those of other medical or mental conditions. 


Some people with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night. The problem can begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem can become chronic.

Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daytime problems caused by insomnia include the following:

•  Poor concentration and focus

• Difficulty with memory

•  Impaired motor coordination [being uncoordinated]

•  Irritability and impaired social interaction

•  Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers.

Many people with insomnia don't complain of daytime sleepiness, and in fact, they may have difficulty falling asleep during intentional daytime naps.

Treatment of insomnia

In general, transient insomnia resolves when the underlying trigger is removed or corrected. Most people seek medical attention when their insomnia becomes chronic.

The main focus of treatment for insomnia should be directed towards finding the cause. Once a cause is identified, it is very important to manage and control the underlying problem, as this alone may eliminate the insomnia all together. Treating the symptoms of insomnia without addressing the main cause is rarely successful. Chronic insomnia can cured in the majority of causes if its medical or psychiatric causes are evaluated and treated properly.

The following therapies can be used in conjunction with therapies directed towards the underlying medical or psychiatric cause. They are also the recommended therapies for some of the primary insomnia disorders.

Usually,  treatment of insomnia entails both non-medical and medical aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for individual patient based on the potential cause. Studies have shown that combining medical and non-medical treatments typically is  more successful in treating insomnia than either one alone.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the  heart increases. As a result, the heart can't pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart may respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body and by becoming stiff and thickened. This helps to keep  the  blood moving, but the heart muscle walls may eventually weaken and will be unable to pump as efficiently. As a result the kidneys may respond by causing the body to retain fluid and salt. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition.

Causes of heart failure 

Heart failure is often a long-term(chronic) condition, but it can sometimes develop suddenly. It can be caused by many different heart problems.


The condition may affect only the left-side or right-side of the heart. These are called right-side heart failure or left-side heart failure. More often, both sides of the heart are involved.

Heart failure is present when :-

• Your heart muscle can't pump the blood out of the heart very well. This is called systolic heart failure.

• Your heart muscles are stiff and do not fill up with blood easily. This is called diastolic heart failure.

These problems mean the heart is no longer able to pump enough oxygen- rich blood out to the rest of your body.



If we want to lead a healthy, happy life and that will be free from all types of heart diseases, then we must know about heart diseases, i believe that you will get very important information after reading this article.