Health care : Calcium‏

You are mostly water and then you are mostly calcium!

Calcium is a mineral and all minerals are metals.
Remember when your doctor prescribes you vitamin and mineral supplements, they are prescribing you vitamin and metal supplements.

So besides water you are mostly metal!

No two ways about it, taking the wrong calcium,
like Coral Calcium, can cause major health problems!

The simple act of taking Vitamins with Minerals can promote disease. Metals, when added to the body, must be bound to a metalloenzyme (an enzyme that contains one or more metals). Enzymes are like the horse pulling a cart (the metal) to where it belongs and can be used by the body. When the body is unable to respond with the proper metalloenzyme, disease can occur.

Calcium not only makes up your bones, it's also found in your nerves, muscles and most of the cells in your body. Calcium, along with other vitamins and metals, are in water and almost everything you eat.

There are two common forms of calcium and dozens of chemical compounds of calcium. One good, the other very bad. This is a well kept secret in the medical and water industry. Tens of billions of dollars are being made in hospitals because of heart disease and selling water softeners that use salt to remove the good calcium from water.

There are more than 60 chemical forms of calcium (Ca): Calcium acetate, Calcium benzoate, Calcium bromate, Carbonate (CaCO2), Carbide (CaC2)Chlorate, Chloride (CaCl2), Chromate, Fluoride, Gluconate (C12H22CaO14)Hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), Oxide (CaO), Nitrite, Phosphate (Ca3[PO4]2), Sulfate (CaSO4) and on and on. Your body needs calcium, but the calcium it needs has to be water soluble, digestible, and recognized by the body. From there, the body then has to chemically process it. All calcium is not water soluble, nor is it digestible or recognizable by the body, therefore, the body is unable to process it effectively.

Water, milk, cheese and vegetables are the best source of calcium.

1. Calcium Carbonate (Bad) - causes scale and plaque. Coral Calcium is a carbonate based calcium.

2. Calcium Bicarbonate (Very Good and very water soluble) - found in meats, fruits and vegetables this calcium builds strong bones when it is properly bound to enzymes and converted by the body.

There is a big difference between the many types of calcium. Someone with osteoporosis, for example, and loosing bone mass, should avoid calcium carbonate pills. They could develop for example, bone spurs on the foot. Every had plantar faciitis? If so, you've probably had a referral to see a Podiatrist (foot specialist). Should you take a different calcium like calcium citrate in lieu of calcium carbonate? Probably not; you probably don't kneed more calcium - you probably need the enzymes essential for control of the calcium that are already in your body. Do not ingest the bad Calcium (Carbonate) - it is not soluble in water.

Limestone, clam shells and marble are like the scale in your plumbing, which is known as calcium carbonate. This form of calcium is not soluble in water and is not bio-available. When calcium is taken in the bad form like calcium carbonate, the body tends to put it anywhere it wants to.

If bad calcium builds up in the arteries it can restrict blood flow to the heart, brain, legs, feet and other areas of the body which may cause major health issues.
Bad calcium may cause gallstones, kidney stones, buildup in the joints as arthritis. It could even be responsible for diabetes and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Calcium buildup is easily detected by an EBT (Electron Beam Tomography) scan. An EBT scan is more accurate, less costly and much safer than an angiogram.

EBT is now one of the major screening devices for the detection of coronary artery disease. Ten times faster than more traditional CT scans, EBT has been approved by the FDA and is considered ideal for detection of calcification in coronary arteries.

Lungs Infection

The words "lung infection" refer to a type of lung illness with a number of possible causes. A lung infection is any infection that occurs in the lung.
The best known illnesses that involving a lung infection are described below:
Bronchitis is an irritation or inflammation of the air passages from the windpipe to the lungs.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs when the air sacs of the lungs become fill with fluid. Pneumonia is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. In rare cases, it can also be caused by parasites or other harmful organisms. Also see walking pneumonia.
Historically, two other types of lung infections have been common, but both of these have now been largely eliminated in the United States.
Whooping cough involves the respiratory mucous membrane. This lung infection results in repeated spasmodic coughing that continues until the patient runs out of breath. Each bout ends with a "whoop" that gives the disease its name. It is caused by species of bacteria.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. TB has virtually been wiped out in the developed countries, but this lung infection still kills many people every year in the Third World.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome which has become better known as SARS, is a highly contagious lung infection first identified in China in 2002. SARS is an atypical form of pneumonia.
Side effects of certain medications, chemicals, toxins or other harmful substances can be the underlying cause of a lung infection.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is currently an incurable condition in which too much glucose (sugar) is present in the blood. Find out more about the different types and how it's treated. A common problem Diabetes occurs because the body can't use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin available doesn't work effectively. The full name 'diabetes mellitus' derives from the Greek word 'diabetes' meaning siphon - to pass through - and 'mellitus' - the Latin for honeyed or sweet. This is because not only is excess sugar found in the blood but it may also appear in the urine, hence it being known in the 17th century as the 'pissing evil'. Diabetes has been a recognised condition for more than 3,500 years. According to the charity Diabetes UK, more than 2 million people in the UK have the condition, and up to 750,000 more are believed to have it without realising they do. More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have what is called type 2 diabetes mellitus.This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. The remainder have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. What's the difference? • In type 1, the body's unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It's treated with diet control and insulin injections. • In type 2, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made by the body doesn't work properly. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40. Normal blood sugar control The body converts glucose from food into energy. Glucose comes ready made in sweet foods such as sweets and cakes, or from starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta or bread once they're digested. The liver is also able to manufacture glucose. Under normal circumstances, the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas, carefully regulates how much glucose is in the blood. Insulin stimulates cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood for the energy, or fuel, that they need. Insulin also stimulates the liver to absorb and store any glucose that's left over. After a meal, the amount of glucose in the blood rises, and this triggers the release of insulin. When blood glucose levels fall, during exercise for example, insulin levels fall too. A second hormone manufactured by the pancreas is called glucagon. It stimulates the liver to release glucose when it's needed, and this raises the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin is manufactured and stored in the pancreas, which is a thin gland about 15cm (6in) long that lies crosswise behind the stomach. It's often described as being two glands in one, since in addition to making insulin it also produces enzymes that are vital for digestion of food. These include lipase, which helps to digest fat, and amylase that helps to digest starchy foods. It also releases 'bicarbonate of soda' to neutralise any stomach acid that may otherwise damage the lining of the gut.

Liver Cancer

Liver is the second largest human organ, coming after skin. It is the chemical factory of human body and has some important functions, as storing some nutrients, converting fat to energy when necessary, producing bile, making certain amino acids, filtering harmful substances from blood, producing cholesterol, and so on. No one can live without liver. Liver cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence rates of liver cancer in Europe, and America is low, while the incidence rate of East Asia and Middle Africa can be three-fold higher than the average level, perhaps due to the high infection rate of hepatitis B and C and consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin in those areas. And the incidence rate in males is about three times that in females. But even in western country the new cases of primary liver cancer increase while many other cancers are declining. What is liver cancer?Liver cancer refers to the growth of malignant tumors in liver tissue. Cancer is named after where it originally starts. Only cancer that starts in the liver is called liver cancer, or primary liver cancer. In all cases of liver tumors, primary liver cancer is relatively rare. In most cases, it is secondary cancer or metastatic liver cancer, which means that tumor originally grows in other part of the body, has spread to liver. Usually the data of liver cancer only refers to the cases of primary liver cancer. There are two different types of primary liver cancer, heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma or hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer that arises from hepatocytes, the main function liver cells. HCC is a ball-like tumor, usually confined to the liver, thought sometimes it spreads to other organs. It is more common in men and mostly occurs in people with cirrhosis. Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer starts in the bile duct cells. This cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find with X-ray. Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in women. Some primary tumors in the liver are benign (non-cancerous). They are usually small and may cause no symptoms. And they do not usually need to be removed unless they are causing symptoms. Most cases of liver cancer are actually metastases. Liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow due to its high blood flow and biological functions. Secondary liver cancers can be metastases originally from colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast. What are the symptoms for liver cancer?A very early liver cancer usually has little or no symptoms since it is too small to cause any. As the cancer enlarges, it will have symptoms. Following are some of the symptoms for liver cancers.
Weight loss: Significant weight loss is defined as weight loss of more than 10% of the normal weight. Obvious loss of body weight doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that you are ill if you are on diet. But when there is no obvious explanation for the weight loss, please go to check it out with doctor. Swollen tummy (abdomen): Liver itself can get bigger with the cancer growing large, which may cause swelling over the right side of the abdomen. Meanwhile, sometimes swollen tummy is caused by ascites because the high pressure in the cancerous liver veins forces the fluid to leak from the veins into the abdomen. If ascites does develop, a tube can be put through the wall of the abdomen to drain the fluid away.Jaundice: Jaundice is yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclerae (white of the eyes). As the tumor grows large, the bile ducts of liver can become blocked, and the bile produced by the liver will flow back into the bloodstream, and the bilirubin in the blood accumulates, which causes juandice. Other signs of jaundice are dark-coloured urine and pale stools. The jaundice can be relieved sometimes by itself, or by inserting a narrow tube called stent in to the bile duct to keep it open and to allow the bile to flow normally into the small intestine. Pains: Sometimes people carrying liver cancer may feel a pain in the upper abdomen due to enlargement of the liver. Pains can also be felt in the right shoulder blade as nerves beneath the diaphragm connecting the right shoulder are stimulated by the enlarged liver. Other symptoms of liver cancer include loss of appetite, breast swelling in males, feeling sick and feeling full after a small meal. Some even have a high fever and feel shivery. If you have any one or some of the risk factors for liver cancer, and any of the above symptoms, please go to check it out with your doctor immediately. What are the risk factors for liver cancer?The exact cause of liver cancer is still unknown. But there are several risk factors that are known to increase one¡¯s likelihood to get liver cancer.
Cirrhosis: Over 80 percent of liver cancer cases in western countries are linked to cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a fine scar tissue throughout the liver due to previous damages, including infection, inherited diseases and alcohol abuse. In the United States, hepatitis C and heavy alcohol drinking over a long period of time are the main causes of liver cirrhosis. However, only a small proportion of people who have liver cirrhosis develop primary liver cancer. Infection: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases greatly the risk of developing liver cancer. Infection with HBV and HCV can also be the cause of cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer. HBV and HCV can spread from person to person through sharing contaminated needles (such as in drug use), unprotected sex, childbirth and blood transfusion. In the Unites States, infection of HCV is the most common cause of liver cancer while in Asia and developing countries, infection of HBV is more common. People infected by the two virus have higher risk to develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Of the two viruses, infection with HBV is more likely to cause symptoms, such as a flu-like illness and jaundice. And only a very small percentage of adults become chronic carriers. But the risk is higher in infants and small children who become infected. HCV, on the other hand, is less likely to cause symptoms. But most people with HCV develop chronic infections, more likely leading to liver cancer. Smoking: There is a link between smoking and liver cancer. Studies conducted in China and Japan show that among those who infected with HBV or HCV, the risk of smoker to develop liver cancer is as high as 12 times of non-smoker¡¯s. Inherited metabolic diseases: Certain inherited metabolic diseases can also lead to liver cancer. People with conditions of haemochromatosis, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, or porphyria cutanea tarda, have a higher risk of developing hepatoma. Obesity: Obesity can result in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which increase the risk of liver cancer. Aflatoxins: Alatoxin is a cancer-causing substances, found in mouldy peanuts, wheat, soybeans, ground nuts, corn and rice. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins is a major cause of hepatoma in Africa and Asia. The risk increases in people with HBV, or HCV infection.Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic steroids are male hormones that some athletes are known to use to increase their strength. Long-term use of anabolic steroid can slightly increase the risk of hepatocellular cancer. Arsenic: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, which might occur in some wells, increases the risk of liver cancer. This is more common in parts of East Asia.Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer if the patients have other risk factors such as heavy alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis.Please remember that risk factors are not at all absolute. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get liver cancer. And many people who carry liver cancer may not have had any known risk factors listed above. How is primary liver cancer staged?Stage tells how widespread a cancer is. It tells whether the cancer is still contained within the liver or has spread to elsewhere. The stage of liver cancer is the most important factor for the doctor to decide the appropriate treatment options. The most accepted stage system of liver cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. It tells the information including, tumor (T), extent of spread to regional lymph nodes (N), and whether the cancer has metastasized to other organ of the body (M).
Information for staging: TX, primary tumor cannot be assessed; T0, no evidence of tumor; T1, single tumor (any size) without invasion into blood vessels; T2, single tumor (any size) with invastion into blood vessels, or multiple tumors none of which are greater than 5 cm across; T3, multiple tumors that are greater than 5 cm across, or a tumor involving a major branch of the portal or hepatic veins; T4, tumor invading a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder), or tumor invading the visceral peritoneum (covering surrounding the liver).NX, regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed; N0, cancer has not spread to regional lymph nodes; N1, the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes.MX, distant spread cannot be assessed; M0, the cancer has not spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs; M1, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs. Summary of stages The T, N, M groups are combine to give an overall stage: Stage I - T1, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does not invade blood vessels.Stage II - T2, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does invade blood vessels; or there are several tumors, and all are less than 5 cm in diameter.Stage IIIA - T3, N0, M0: there are several tumors, and at least one is larger than 5 cm in diameter; or a tumor invades a branch of the major liver blood vessels (portal vein or hepatic vein).Stage IIIB - T4, N0, M0: a tumor invades a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder); or tumor has penetrated the outer covering of the liver.Stage IIIC - Any T, N1, M0: the cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes, no matter the size and number of tumors.Stage IV - Any T, Any N, M1: the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, no matter the size and number of tumors, and whether nearby lymph nodes involved or not.Traditional TreatmentsThe treatments vary greatly according to the individuals. To create a treatment plan, the most important factor is the stage of liver cancer, and the doctors would also take into account the age, general stage of health, personal preference. Some possible treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
SurgerySurgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer that has not spread. There are two main options: liver transplant and partial hepatectomy. Both are potentially curable treatments. But only a very small portion of patients could benefit from surgeries. Hepatectomy is the surgical removal of the liver. The extent of hepactectomy depends on the number, size and site of cancer. The surgery may remove part of liver containing cancer, an entire lobe, or an even larger portion of liver. Liver has an amazing ability for self-repair. Even more than half of the liver is removed, it would grow back to its normal size in a couple of weeks. But hepatectomy is only available for those who are diagnosed early and no cirrhosis or metastasis occurs and whose rest of liver is still healthy. However even hepatectomy is taken, recurrence may occur sometimes if the liver still contains cancer the underlying disease that led to the first one. Liver transplant is to remove the whole liver and to replace it with a liver from another person. It may be a good option for the patients who have cirrhosis. But only those, whose liver tumor is less than 5 cm or up to 3 tumors all smaller than 3 cm across, can have liver transplant. Unfortunately the suitable donor for liver cancer is limited. And for most cases of primary liver cancer, liver transplant couldn¡¯t help. It is a too big surgery to survive if the patient is too ill. Or if the cancer has spread to other part of body, transplant won¡¯t cure it.ChemotherapyIn cancer treatments, doctors use chemotherapy to slow down the progress of cancer and palliate symptoms. But generally, primary liver cancers in adults are not sensitive to the usual chemotherapy. But chemotherapy is a standard tool to hepatoblastoma, the type of liver cancer that affects only children. Chemotherapy is often used to shrink the cancer before the surgery, or try to stop the cancer from coming back after surgery. RadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high¨Cenergy ray to kill cancer cells. It helps to shrink the cancer to relieve the pain but no improvement of survival since normal liver cancer is sensitive to radiation together with liver cancer cells.
Pilot treatmentsCombination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage liver cancer.Surgery, or hepatectomy, is the most promising option for early stage liver cancer patients with no cirrhosis to remove the lesion and control the development of the disease. Then CIK biotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Radical cure for early stage liver cancer.2. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. 3. No toxicity or side effects to human body. No destroy to normal tissues. CIK cells could recognize and kill cancerous cells with no harm to healthy cells. 4. Quick recovery after treatments. 5. Quality of life improved with an enhanced immune system.Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage liver cancerAdvanced stage refers to stage IIIb or IV. At advanced stage, the liver tumors usually are relative large with multiple metastases. Surgery is no longer available and chemotherapy cannot control the growth of tumor for advanced liver cancer. Our pilot treatment could cease the development of liver cancer and relieve the pains suffered by patients with good quality of life. Cryoablation kills cancer cells by freeze-thaw cycle and it is available to advanced stage liver cancer patients as well as early stage ones. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the interventional therapy usually applied to treat liver cancer. Small catheters are punctured to the branches of the hepatic artery supplying the tumors and aliquots of chemotherapy dose and of embolic particles are injected through the catheters. TACE kills tumor in a better efficiency since it cuts off the blood supply for tumor and it allows a higher dose to the cancerous tissue while reducing toxicity to the whole body. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, the most efficient immunotherapy at present, can kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Minimally invasive surgery-cryoablation, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. Available for advanced liver cancer patients. Most of primary liver cancers diagnosed are advanced liver cancer patients who have no chance for hepatectomy. Then cryoablation is a good option to remove the lesions safely and quickly.3. Ar-He cryoablation can block out blood vessel, which helps to enhance the therapeutic effects of TACE on large liver tumors.4. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of Ar-He cryoablation and TACE, can improve the immune function against tumor, which significantly extends survival time with a good quality of life. 5. No toxicity or side effects.The pilot treatment for advanced stage liver cancer offered by CTC removes the lesions as well as improves immune system. It is a promising treatment to improve life quality and extend survival time. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer is secondary liver cancer. Together with recurrence, metastatic liver cancer usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, interventional therapy and CIK-DC cell immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer.

Liver Cancer

Liver is the second largest human organ, coming after skin. It is the chemical factory of human body and has some important functions, as storing some nutrients, converting fat to energy when necessary, producing bile, making certain amino acids, filtering harmful substances from blood, producing cholesterol, and so on. No one can live without liver. Liver cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence rates of liver cancer in Europe, and America is low, while the incidence rate of East Asia and Middle Africa can be three-fold higher than the average level, perhaps due to the high infection rate of hepatitis B and C and consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin in those areas. And the incidence rate in males is about three times that in females. But even in western country the new cases of primary liver cancer increase while many other cancers are declining. What is liver cancer?Liver cancer refers to the growth of malignant tumors in liver tissue. Cancer is named after where it originally starts. Only cancer that starts in the liver is called liver cancer, or primary liver cancer. In all cases of liver tumors, primary liver cancer is relatively rare. In most cases, it is secondary cancer or metastatic liver cancer, which means that tumor originally grows in other part of the body, has spread to liver. Usually the data of liver cancer only refers to the cases of primary liver cancer. There are two different types of primary liver cancer, heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma or hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer that arises from hepatocytes, the main function liver cells. HCC is a ball-like tumor, usually confined to the liver, thought sometimes it spreads to other organs. It is more common in men and mostly occurs in people with cirrhosis. Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer starts in the bile duct cells. This cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find with X-ray. Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in women. Some primary tumors in the liver are benign (non-cancerous). They are usually small and may cause no symptoms. And they do not usually need to be removed unless they are causing symptoms. Most cases of liver cancer are actually metastases. Liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow due to its high blood flow and biological functions. Secondary liver cancers can be metastases originally from colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast. What are the symptoms for liver cancer?A very early liver cancer usually has little or no symptoms since it is too small to cause any. As the cancer enlarges, it will have symptoms. Following are some of the symptoms for liver cancers.
Weight loss: Significant weight loss is defined as weight loss of more than 10% of the normal weight. Obvious loss of body weight doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that you are ill if you are on diet. But when there is no obvious explanation for the weight loss, please go to check it out with doctor. Swollen tummy (abdomen): Liver itself can get bigger with the cancer growing large, which may cause swelling over the right side of the abdomen. Meanwhile, sometimes swollen tummy is caused by ascites because the high pressure in the cancerous liver veins forces the fluid to leak from the veins into the abdomen. If ascites does develop, a tube can be put through the wall of the abdomen to drain the fluid away.Jaundice: Jaundice is yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclerae (white of the eyes). As the tumor grows large, the bile ducts of liver can become blocked, and the bile produced by the liver will flow back into the bloodstream, and the bilirubin in the blood accumulates, which causes juandice. Other signs of jaundice are dark-coloured urine and pale stools. The jaundice can be relieved sometimes by itself, or by inserting a narrow tube called stent in to the bile duct to keep it open and to allow the bile to flow normally into the small intestine. Pains: Sometimes people carrying liver cancer may feel a pain in the upper abdomen due to enlargement of the liver. Pains can also be felt in the right shoulder blade as nerves beneath the diaphragm connecting the right shoulder are stimulated by the enlarged liver. Other symptoms of liver cancer include loss of appetite, breast swelling in males, feeling sick and feeling full after a small meal. Some even have a high fever and feel shivery. If you have any one or some of the risk factors for liver cancer, and any of the above symptoms, please go to check it out with your doctor immediately. What are the risk factors for liver cancer?The exact cause of liver cancer is still unknown. But there are several risk factors that are known to increase one¡¯s likelihood to get liver cancer.
Cirrhosis: Over 80 percent of liver cancer cases in western countries are linked to cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a fine scar tissue throughout the liver due to previous damages, including infection, inherited diseases and alcohol abuse. In the United States, hepatitis C and heavy alcohol drinking over a long period of time are the main causes of liver cirrhosis. However, only a small proportion of people who have liver cirrhosis develop primary liver cancer. Infection: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases greatly the risk of developing liver cancer. Infection with HBV and HCV can also be the cause of cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer. HBV and HCV can spread from person to person through sharing contaminated needles (such as in drug use), unprotected sex, childbirth and blood transfusion. In the Unites States, infection of HCV is the most common cause of liver cancer while in Asia and developing countries, infection of HBV is more common. People infected by the two virus have higher risk to develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Of the two viruses, infection with HBV is more likely to cause symptoms, such as a flu-like illness and jaundice. And only a very small percentage of adults become chronic carriers. But the risk is higher in infants and small children who become infected. HCV, on the other hand, is less likely to cause symptoms. But most people with HCV develop chronic infections, more likely leading to liver cancer. Smoking: There is a link between smoking and liver cancer. Studies conducted in China and Japan show that among those who infected with HBV or HCV, the risk of smoker to develop liver cancer is as high as 12 times of non-smoker¡¯s. Inherited metabolic diseases: Certain inherited metabolic diseases can also lead to liver cancer. People with conditions of haemochromatosis, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, or porphyria cutanea tarda, have a higher risk of developing hepatoma. Obesity: Obesity can result in fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which increase the risk of liver cancer. Aflatoxins: Alatoxin is a cancer-causing substances, found in mouldy peanuts, wheat, soybeans, ground nuts, corn and rice. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins is a major cause of hepatoma in Africa and Asia. The risk increases in people with HBV, or HCV infection.Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic steroids are male hormones that some athletes are known to use to increase their strength. Long-term use of anabolic steroid can slightly increase the risk of hepatocellular cancer. Arsenic: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water, which might occur in some wells, increases the risk of liver cancer. This is more common in parts of East Asia.Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer if the patients have other risk factors such as heavy alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis.Please remember that risk factors are not at all absolute. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get liver cancer. And many people who carry liver cancer may not have had any known risk factors listed above. How is primary liver cancer staged?Stage tells how widespread a cancer is. It tells whether the cancer is still contained within the liver or has spread to elsewhere. The stage of liver cancer is the most important factor for the doctor to decide the appropriate treatment options. The most accepted stage system of liver cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. It tells the information including, tumor (T), extent of spread to regional lymph nodes (N), and whether the cancer has metastasized to other organ of the body (M).
Information for staging: TX, primary tumor cannot be assessed; T0, no evidence of tumor; T1, single tumor (any size) without invasion into blood vessels; T2, single tumor (any size) with invastion into blood vessels, or multiple tumors none of which are greater than 5 cm across; T3, multiple tumors that are greater than 5 cm across, or a tumor involving a major branch of the portal or hepatic veins; T4, tumor invading a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder), or tumor invading the visceral peritoneum (covering surrounding the liver).NX, regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed; N0, cancer has not spread to regional lymph nodes; N1, the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes.MX, distant spread cannot be assessed; M0, the cancer has not spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs; M1, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs. Summary of stages The T, N, M groups are combine to give an overall stage: Stage I - T1, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does not invade blood vessels.Stage II - T2, N0, M0: there is a single tumor (any size) that does invade blood vessels; or there are several tumors, and all are less than 5 cm in diameter.Stage IIIA - T3, N0, M0: there are several tumors, and at least one is larger than 5 cm in diameter; or a tumor invades a branch of the major liver blood vessels (portal vein or hepatic vein).Stage IIIB - T4, N0, M0: a tumor invades a nearby organ (other than the gallbladder); or tumor has penetrated the outer covering of the liver.Stage IIIC - Any T, N1, M0: the cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes, no matter the size and number of tumors.Stage IV - Any T, Any N, M1: the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, no matter the size and number of tumors, and whether nearby lymph nodes involved or not.Traditional TreatmentsThe treatments vary greatly according to the individuals. To create a treatment plan, the most important factor is the stage of liver cancer, and the doctors would also take into account the age, general stage of health, personal preference. Some possible treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
SurgerySurgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer that has not spread. There are two main options: liver transplant and partial hepatectomy. Both are potentially curable treatments. But only a very small portion of patients could benefit from surgeries. Hepatectomy is the surgical removal of the liver. The extent of hepactectomy depends on the number, size and site of cancer. The surgery may remove part of liver containing cancer, an entire lobe, or an even larger portion of liver. Liver has an amazing ability for self-repair. Even more than half of the liver is removed, it would grow back to its normal size in a couple of weeks. But hepatectomy is only available for those who are diagnosed early and no cirrhosis or metastasis occurs and whose rest of liver is still healthy. However even hepatectomy is taken, recurrence may occur sometimes if the liver still contains cancer the underlying disease that led to the first one. Liver transplant is to remove the whole liver and to replace it with a liver from another person. It may be a good option for the patients who have cirrhosis. But only those, whose liver tumor is less than 5 cm or up to 3 tumors all smaller than 3 cm across, can have liver transplant. Unfortunately the suitable donor for liver cancer is limited. And for most cases of primary liver cancer, liver transplant couldn¡¯t help. It is a too big surgery to survive if the patient is too ill. Or if the cancer has spread to other part of body, transplant won¡¯t cure it.ChemotherapyIn cancer treatments, doctors use chemotherapy to slow down the progress of cancer and palliate symptoms. But generally, primary liver cancers in adults are not sensitive to the usual chemotherapy. But chemotherapy is a standard tool to hepatoblastoma, the type of liver cancer that affects only children. Chemotherapy is often used to shrink the cancer before the surgery, or try to stop the cancer from coming back after surgery. RadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high¨Cenergy ray to kill cancer cells. It helps to shrink the cancer to relieve the pain but no improvement of survival since normal liver cancer is sensitive to radiation together with liver cancer cells.
Pilot treatmentsCombination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage liver cancer.Surgery, or hepatectomy, is the most promising option for early stage liver cancer patients with no cirrhosis to remove the lesion and control the development of the disease. Then CIK biotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Radical cure for early stage liver cancer.2. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. 3. No toxicity or side effects to human body. No destroy to normal tissues. CIK cells could recognize and kill cancerous cells with no harm to healthy cells. 4. Quick recovery after treatments. 5. Quality of life improved with an enhanced immune system.Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage liver cancerAdvanced stage refers to stage IIIb or IV. At advanced stage, the liver tumors usually are relative large with multiple metastases. Surgery is no longer available and chemotherapy cannot control the growth of tumor for advanced liver cancer. Our pilot treatment could cease the development of liver cancer and relieve the pains suffered by patients with good quality of life. Cryoablation kills cancer cells by freeze-thaw cycle and it is available to advanced stage liver cancer patients as well as early stage ones. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the interventional therapy usually applied to treat liver cancer. Small catheters are punctured to the branches of the hepatic artery supplying the tumors and aliquots of chemotherapy dose and of embolic particles are injected through the catheters. TACE kills tumor in a better efficiency since it cuts off the blood supply for tumor and it allows a higher dose to the cancerous tissue while reducing toxicity to the whole body. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, the most efficient immunotherapy at present, can kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells in blood and lymph and to restore the immune system.
Features:1. Minimally invasive surgery-cryoablation, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. Available for advanced liver cancer patients. Most of primary liver cancers diagnosed are advanced liver cancer patients who have no chance for hepatectomy. Then cryoablation is a good option to remove the lesions safely and quickly.3. Ar-He cryoablation can block out blood vessel, which helps to enhance the therapeutic effects of TACE on large liver tumors.4. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of Ar-He cryoablation and TACE, can improve the immune function against tumor, which significantly extends survival time with a good quality of life. 5. No toxicity or side effects.The pilot treatment for advanced stage liver cancer offered by CTC removes the lesions as well as improves immune system. It is a promising treatment to improve life quality and extend survival time. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, interventional therapy and immunotherapy for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer is secondary liver cancer. Together with recurrence, metastatic liver cancer usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, interventional therapy and CIK-DC cell immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrence and metastatic liver cancer.

Drinking Hot water after meals

This article is not only about the hot water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine . Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer . It is best to drink hot soup or hot water/tea after a meal.A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

25 Most Avoidable Medical Mistakes

How to play the most important part in preventing your own medical mishap:

We’ve all heard the horror stories of a surgeon operating on the wrong leg or leaving a sponge inside. But in reality, most medical mishaps are due to a series of errors, not a single doctor’s blunder. And believe it or not, you play an important part in preventing them. “Very few medical mistakes are caused by a doctor just not paying attention,” says Henry Lodge, MD, a New York–based physician and coauthor of Younger Next Year for Women. “Most have to do with something falling through the cracks—and that’s where what you do matters.”

There are important steps you can take to make sure you’re getting the best care possible, from calling to check up on test results to being bare-faced honest with your doc. Read on to find out what experts say are all-too-common mistakes patients make.

1. You don’t check the expiration date on your medications.A week or two probably won’t matter, but “over time the chemicals in the medication can change, making them less effective and possibly even dangerous,” says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, an internist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta.Take action: Add your medicine cabinet to your spring-cleaning list.

2. You don’t factor in wait time for an appointment.It’s important that you don’t go too long between screenings—which may mean you need to schedule appointments months, even a year, in advance. “Many mammography centers are actually closing because of insurance reimbursement issues,” says Jahangir Rahman, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Columbia University Medical School in New York. “Some women are waiting upward of 6 months for an appointment.” That means you may actually end up going 18 months between screenings instead of 12.Take action: Pick up phone. Dial. It’s that easy.

3. You’re not honest with your doctor.We know it’s hard to ’fess up to unhealthy habitslike smoking, drinking a little too much and being a couch potato, but spilling the truth can make a big difference in your care. “Your doctor’s not there to judge; she’s there to help you be the healthiest you can be,” says Dr. Fryhofer.Take action: If you don’t feel comfortable telling your doc about your bad habits, write them down for her.

4. You don’t specify who should have access to your health records.The HIPAA law keeps prying eyes away from your private info, but it also means you’re on your own when it comes to simple tasks like picking up a prescription— unless you specify who else can be trusted.Take action: Tell your doctor who can have access and ask that he put a note in your file.

5. You ask for antibiotics at the first sign of a sniffle.We know we’ve said it before, but doctors say that patients just aren’t getting the message: Antibiotics don’t work for a cold. No matter how unbearable that runny nose or sore throat may seem, chances are it’s a virus, not a bacterial infection. And if you take antibiotics when you don’t really need them, you’re helping fuel a widespread increase in drug-resistant bacteria.Take action: If you develop a persistent fever, or have discolored phlegm or sinus pain, you probably need antibiotics. Otherwise, don’t ask for them.

6. You wait for your doc to say it’s time for a test.How can you catch diseases in the earliest, most treatable stages? Screen for them at the right time, says Aage Møller, MD, a professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas, Dallas. The big three screenings for women: Pap (18 and up, earlier if you’re sexually active), mammogram (annually starting at 40, earlier and perhaps more often if you have a family history of breast cancer ), and bone density (50-plus). If you’re 50, you’ll need a baseline colon cancer screening, too. And you should be getting your blood pressure and blood sugar levels tested at all regular checkups (at least every 3 to 5 years).Take action: Ask your doctor when you should get these tests and if you need any others. Don’t expect her to remind you.

7. You assume no news is good news.“Test results often get lost. No news could mean that your doctor never got a copy of your lab work or report,” says Janet O’Mahony, MD, a clinical instructor in the department of medicine at the University of Maryland.Take action: Ask when your doctor will get results, and call to follow up.

8. You’re a really obsessive Googler.“The Internet is great for getting timely information, but you can also be tricked into thinking that something like a migraine is untreatable brain cancer,” says Kimberly McMillin, MD, a physician at Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas.Take action: Stick to well-respected websites like MedlinePlus. gov or MayoClinic.com. And be sure to talk to a health care professional about the info you find.

9. You take your medicine at any old time.Timing can have an important effect on certain medications. For example, if you don’t take low-dose hormonal birth control pills at roughly the same time each day, they may not work. Having a set routine also means you’re less likely to forget your meds altogether.Take action: Plan on taking your multivitamin or other daily medications either first thing in the morning or before you go to bed at night.

10. You don’t have any health insurance.“People with insurance get more preventive care, which translates to fewer complications from serious health problems,” says Caroline Dorsen, MSN, a family nurse practitioner and an instructor at New York University’s College of Nursing. Plus, you never know when you’ll have an emergency, and when you’re healthy is the easiest time to get an insurance company to cover you.Take action: At the minimum, invest in a catastrophic policy (which costs anywhere from $900 to $3,000 a year). “Right now, close to 50% of bankruptcies in the U.S. are related to medical bills,” says Dorsen.

11. You bargain-hunt for prescriptions.This often results in multiple pharmacies filling your prescriptions, which isn’t a smart idea. Using one pharmacy insures that the pharmacist knows every medication you’re on and can catch dangerous interactions before they happen.Take action: Stick with one pharmacy, or at least take a list of all your medications and show it to the pharmacist every time you get a prescription filled.

12. You don’t keep your personal health records up to date.“Be a little obsessive,” Dr. Lodge says. “If everyone paid more attention to his or her medical records, we could reduce a good deal of errors.”Take action: In a safe but easily accessible place,keep an up-to-date list of all of your medications, immunizations, allergies and past reactions, and be sure to bring it with you to every doctor and pharmacy visit. If you get a test like an MRI, X-ray or EKG, ask your health care provider for a copy of the report and then take it with you if you go to a specialist.

13. You don’t have a living will.The legacy of Terri Schiavo is the lesson that everyone—no matter her age—should have a legal document that makes her wishes known in case she becomes terminally ill or permanently unconscious, notes Dr. McMillin. “I have a living will that specifies exactly what I want and expect. I have a copy with my primary care doctor, one at home in a safe and one in my personal file, and my husband and family members know my wishes.”Take action: Call your local hospitals or senior center; some provide free living will seminars.

14. You don’t tell your doc everything you’re taking.“Many vitamins, minerals, herbs and other over-the-counter remedies can interfere with prescription medications,” says Dr. Fryhofer. Also, knowing that you take certain OTC meds regularly (say, for heartburn) can clue your doctor in to when you might need the prescription- strength version instead.Take action: Write down all of the meds and OTC supplements you take on a regular basis. Better yet, bring the bottles or labels to your appointment.

15. You don’t look at your prescription before you leave the pharmacy.Scary stat: Roughly 2 million adverse drug reactions happen each year, causing about 100,000 deaths. Take action: Keep a copy of your prescription and check it against what’s written on the bottle. It’s also a good idea to look up what the actual pill looks like (do a search at pdrhealth.com) before you go to the pharmacy. Then check that what’s in the bottle looks the same as the picture.

16. Your stress levels are out of control.Sure, everyone’s got stress, but managing it is key to preventing it from taking a toll on your health. “Stress is the forgotten risk factor,” says cardiologist Michael Ozner, MD. “Study after study links chronic stress to heart attack and stroke.”Take action: When you feel the pressure, practice deep breathing. Close your eyes and focus on relaxing your muscles, starting at your feet and working your way up through each body part. Breathe in and out through your nose as you focus on a single word (like peace).

17. You share meds with other people.It may seem harmless, even virtuous, to give your sneezy, wheezy cousin a pill from your allergy prescription, but health care experts say you shouldn’t play pharmacist. “Sharing with a friend exposes that person to risks and may potentially interact with something he or she is already taking,” says Dorsen.Take action: Keep your prescription pills to yourself (but be generous with your tissues!).

18. You double up on meds.If you forget a dose, twice isn’t necessarily nice. “Medicines are prescribed to keep a steady amount in your bloodstream,” explains Dorsen. “Taking too much at one time can give you an upset stomach and possibly even create toxic levels of the drug in your body.”Take action: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safer to double up or just skip the dose.

19. You go to your doctor’s visit empty-handed.You don’t stock up at the grocery store without a list, so why take a chance on your checkup?Take action: A week or so before your appointment, write down all of your questions and concerns. Call the doctor’s office and ask if you can fax it over so they can put it in your file. Your doctor may have a chance to look it over beforehand, but bring a copy on the day of the appointment anyway.

20. You put off doctor appointments.Work, family, friends—who has time to squeeze in a doctor’s visit? You do. Especially if you’ve spotted something suspicious or have new symptoms. “Waiting even a few months can mean something like cancer that’s in an early, treatable stage has now progressed,” says Dr. McMillin.Take action: Get yourself to your doctor as fast as you can if you think something might be wrong. And don’t skip regular checkups—they’ re an opportunity to catch a condition early.

21. You don’t know your family health history.“Almost every condition has a genetic link, so knowing what your relatives dealt with is an important clue to your own health risks,” say Dr. Rahman.Take action: Map your family medical history. Start with yourself, your parents, your grandparents and your siblings. Note any diseases (cancer, including type; heart disease; diabetes; stroke) and if possible the age of diagnosis. You can even do it online: The Surgeon General’s office offers an easy personalized (and private) mapping tool at familyhistory. hhs.gov. Take a copy to your next doctor’s appointment, and keep another in your files (be sure to update it every few years).

22. You give up too soon when you’ve filed an insurance claim.Let’s face it: Insurance companies try to pinch pennies, which often means you’re the one left holding the bag on a claim you thought should have been paid in full.Take action: Call to follow up on any claims that are denied (the sooner you do this, the better), and ask to speak to a manager if necessary, says Dorsen. Keep track of whom you speak with and when so you can put your concerns in writing.

23. You don’t finish a round of antibiotics.Stop too soon and you not only risk the infection reoccurring, you’re contributing to bacterial resistance, says Dr. Fryhofer.Take action: Don’t toss the bottle until it’s empty.

24. You don’t have a primary care doctor.Many women rely on their gynecologist for primary care, but your ob-gyn is really focused on your reproductive health, so she may not be paying as much attention to other things like your cholesterol. And if you have urgent, non-ob/gyn symptoms, you may end up having to go to the ER.Take action: Visit an internist, general practitioner or family medicine physician at least once a year.

25. You haven’t gotten vaccinated since you were a kid.Grownups need a shot in the arm, too. “All adults need a one-time booster for whooping cough (pertussis), which you can get in a tetanus-pertussis combo shot called Tdap,” says Dr. Fryhofer. (After the one-time booster, you still need the tetanus shot every 10 years.) If you’re 60 or older, experts also recommend the shingles vaccine.Take action: Stay up to date on your vaccines. Then reward yourself with a lollipop.

Depression

Author: michael russell

Depression is a disorder of mind. In depression the brain chemistry gets affected. The common symptoms of depression are guilty feeling, sadness, suicidal thoughts, lack in concentration, loss in energy, loss of interest in life etc. If anyone observes these type of symptoms then he must go to a doctor for consultancy. The patient can be diagnosed in several ways depending upon his age and situation. He can be treated with allopathic medicines, by counseling etc. But a better method of diagnosing depression is also available. in this method the patient is treated with the help of supplements made from herbs which are present in nature. The advantage of using these supplements is that they have less number of side effects when compared with other modes of treatment of depression. This treatment is cheap in comparison to other treatments. The Herbal supplements which are generally used for the treatment of depression are;1. St. John's Wort: It can be taken in the form of capsules, tea, oil. It increases the production of dopamine(a kind of neurotransmitter) in the brain. This herbal supplement is very sensitive towards sunlight. So care should be taken while keeping this supplement. Proper exercises should be done during the course of time taking this supplement to reduce the chances of side effects. St. john's wort is available in different combinations . A few of them are:a. Lobelia /St.John's wort: Its chemical combination is very much similar to nicotine. But the main benefit associated with it is that it is non addictive in nature. The combination includes 0.5g hypericin with 0.5g of Lobelia. It is less expensive herbal supplement. It helps in boosting the respiratory system.It is generally used from getting rid of smoking habits which is a main cause of depression.b. Kudzu /St.John's wort: This composition contains 1g hypericin with 1g of diadzin. It is used for treating alcohol addiction which indirectly is a cause of depression.The other popular herbal supplements are Kava Kava, Sam-e, Ginseng etc.The herbal supplements boosts our:1. Immune system: These supplements generally boosts up our immune system. So you are able to fight with diseases whose after effect is in the form of depression.2. Brain: Many factors such as high blood pressure, anxiety etc. creates imperfections in our brain by affecting the chemical composition of brain. The use of herbal supplements provides optimum supply to the brain which helps in fighting against the unusual thoughts which leads to depression.Most of the companies marketed their Natural herbal supplements as the best one to get relief from Depression.


Factors And Symptoms Of Depression


Depression is described as the sad or irritable behavior of the individual that has greater intensity and duration. It is a common illness, but is very serious and common among the people. It is caused due to the imbalance of chemicals, called the neurotransmitters, which carry signals to brain and nerves for communication. There are various other factors, which cause depression among the human beings. An individual can be depressed due to his own eating habits and physical conditions or due to the environment in which he is living. The eating habits of the individual, family history, eating disorders, smoking, stress and physical conditions of the individual, the loss of the loved ones of the individual are the factors that lead to depression among the human beings. The other important factors that leads to depression are:1. Marital factor: If a person is happily married then chances of depression decreases.2. Age: People of old ages are more prone to depression.3. Heredity: If there is a family history then chances of depression increases.4. Gender: The depression is found more in women than in women . A study shows that twenty five percent of women are suffering from depression in comparison to twelve percent of man. The factors for this difference are:a. women are more sensitive than men.b. women are full of emotions.c. There is a frequent change in female hormones than in men.d. Women feel more stress than man as they have to play various roles like wife and mother simultaneously with their work at home and office. They find it difficult to manage.e. Men thinks that alcohol can provide them help to get rid of depression, but in reality it masks the depression. In comparison women are less addicted to alcohol.5.Previous Episodes: If a person has suffered from depression once before then there are more chances in that person to develop it again.There are many symptoms of depression that can be seen in an individual. If any individual comes across at east five or more of the above symptoms for more than two months, then it is a symptom of depression. These symptoms are as follows:Feeling sad or feeling like crying in children and irritation in adults.Loss of interest in performing routine workSudden gain or loss of weight of the individualNot being able to concentrate and take decisionsThe thoughts of death or suicideTemporary loss of memorySleeping and eating disordersPersistent pains, cramps and digestive problemsFatigue and loss of energyNatural Supplement have no side effects on the patient if they are clinically tested and they provide a complete treatment for depression as well as Anxiety.


Depression Treatment:

According to a survey today 50 to 60 percent of the world's population is suffering from depression. It is a situation in which a person feel loneliness and negative thoughts come in his mind. In general depression is the outcome of fast and hectic life in which a person has no tim e to care for his body. Because of depression a person can even think of committing suicide. So it must be treated as soon as possible.There are different types of treatments available to the individual based on the type of depression. If the depression is moderate, then talking therapy can be used. Talking therapy includes the following types of therapies:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy is based on changing the way of thinking of the individual because the way of thinking of the individual has major influence on the health of the individual. In this therapy, the individual is encouraged to think positively and stay away from stress and negative feelings.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy is based on improving the relationship of the individuals with other people. The individuals are helped in improving the relationship and communication with other people.Counseling: This method of treating depression involves the guidance of individuals to solve the problems encountered daily in a different and more effective way.If the depression is severe. then antidepressants are used with talking therapy. But this type of treatment needs patience because doctor needs some time to try allow the possible antidepressants medicines and their combinations that best suits the patient. the doses of these antidepressant medicines are decided on the basis of patient's age. If a person is taking some other medicines along with antidepressants then he must tell about this to his doctor because they can cause side effects and these side effects can be so serious that the can take patients life.Antidepressants are the most common drugs used by the people suffering from depression. Antidepressants consists of different types of drugs such as SSRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs. Antidepressants may have some side effects or even may not prove effective on the first use. In such cases, the dose of the antidepressants should be changed.Other treatments of depression consist of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). VNS is the process of inserting device in the body of the individual in order to provide stimulation to the vagus nerve. In ECT, the individual is treated with the help of electrical pulses of short duration.


Different Types Of Depression:


There are different types of depressions based on its severity. The different types of depressions are as follows:Major depressive disorders: It is a major depression, which interrupts the person to perform his routine work. The symptoms of this type of depression are more. The individual suffering from major depression has high risk of suicidal attempts. There are two types of major depressive disorders, which are as follows:Melancholic depressionCatatonic depressionDysthymic disorder: It is also called the dysthmia. This type of depression is less severe and the person can able to perform his routine work. The symptoms of dysthemic depression can exist for more than 2 years.Bipolar disorder: It is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is caused as a result of change of temper from high to low and from low to high. Some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are as follows:Invincible belief in oneselfImpulsivityFast speech or extreme talkativenessPsychotic depression: It is a severe form of depression in which the individual may have hallucinations and hear and see things, which are actually not there.Seasonal affective disorder: This is a general type of depression which is associated with seasons. It is automatically after the passage of a particular season. For example in winter season the day gets shorter and due to which he feels more fatigue. But this is automatically treated when winter season passes away.Postpartum depression: This type of depression generally happens in women. It happens after pregnancy. During pregnancy the level of female hormones like progesterone and estrogen increases in the body. But after the birth of an infant child the hormonal level in females falls back at a very fast rate to acquire normal level. The doctor thinks that this rapid change in female hormonal level leads to depression symptoms. The symptoms includes headache, fast heart breathing, guilty feeling, no interest in friends and family, no interest in life, hopelessness, crying without any reason.Anxiety depressive disorder: It comprises of various mental problems such as panic disorder, social phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder. This is a very severe form of depression in which suicide rate increases. Psychotherapy is the best treatment for anxiety disorders.Typical Depression: This type of depression is generally found in women. The symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, panic attacks etc. This is not a very serious form of depression but still needs treatment.


Manage Stress By Enhancing Your Brain:


“Stress management” is a hot catchphrase in natural health these days. However, many people do not realize that effective stress management starts with brain enhancement. How a person thinks about themselves and their environment, and what they value, affects how they interpret a particular situation. If they interpret it as stressful or dangerous, their brains send signals to their bodies to create a “fight or flight” stress response. Getting this process under control can make a huge difference in people’s overall level of stress.Much advice has been given about how to think positively. One can repeat positive mantras or look for a silver lining in a difficult situation. Aerobic exercise, which sends oxygenated blood and endorphins to the brain, can also help the brain become more positive. It is also well-documented that deep abdominal breathing and stretching can create a calm mind that is resistant to negative thoughts and stress.However, according to Ilchi Lee in his recent book, Brain Wave Vibration: Getting Back into the Rhythm of a Happy, Healthy Life, the simplest way is to simply shake away negative thoughts or “brain waves,” leaving behind positive ones that the brain naturally wants to produce. This sort of exercise can be performed almost anywhere by anyone. Performing it even when one is not stressed can create a more calm and productive response to potentially stressful future situations.This exercise is known as Brain Wave Vibration. It can be performed simply by shaking the head to create a vibration in the brain. As the head and neck relax, this vibration can then travel down the spine to the entire body. One can even add visualization to this exercise to make it more effective. Just imagine a light that starts in the brain and travels over the entire body, pushing away stress and tension from the body.In addition to changing thinking patterns from negative to positive, Brain Wave Vibration relaxes tension in muscles and organs, further helping to reduce the effects of stress.Used as a simple method of natural health maintenance, Brain Wave Vibration has been shown to quickly clear the mind, making way for the positive mindset necessary for stress management.


Use Your Nose For Effective Stress Relief:


Whether it's a bad day at the office or a stressful day at home, there is nothing like stress relief through the use of aromatherapy. What is so distinctive about aromatherapy is the use of your sense of smell to help heal your mind. Essential oils are use to provide mental, spiritual, and physical healing. The aroma, which is experienced by using various scented oils, invokes emotions which affect the brain, where all emotions are controlled. Thus, when trying to overcome stress through aromatherapy, relief is achieved through our sense of smell.Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. Scented candles, baths, fragrances, showers, or even a wood-burning fire are all forms through which aroma can be dispersed. It is the essence of the aroma that reduces stress and provides a calm, soothing, and relaxing state. The following are some aroma suggestions for stress relief:Lavender. Lavender is one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. Whether used in baths or scented candles, it is touted as being the most important part of any aromatherapy ritual. Lavender tends to calm and soothe an agitated mind.Ylang Ylang. Ylang ylang regulates cardio and respiratory rhythms. It also calms nerves and produces a feeling of euphoria. Create a relaxing atmosphere through the use of ylang ylang.Lemon. While lavender is known to alleviate stress, lemon oil is another healing substance which has similar properties for use in stress reduction. According to studies, it clears the head, improves concentration and memory, and combats depression. It is also one of the most refreshing of oils used today.Chamomile. Another well-known oil which has become beneficial to one’s health is chamomile. When used In tea form, it not only calms and relaxes, but offers stress relief as well. This herbal medicine is primarily used to alleviate anger and anxiety.Geranium. Geranium calms and refreshes the body and balances the adrenals. It is uplifting and is sometimes used as an antidepressant.There are also special blends available that combine a variety of the above-mentioned aromas in varying parts for more effective stress relief. You may also want to make your own blend of aromas by following any number of blend "recipes" available in books or on the Web.Using aromatherapy for healing is nothing new. Aromatherapy has been used since ancient times. It was used primarily by the Egyptians, who recognized the physical and spiritual properties of scented oils. Cleopatra would take milk baths strewn with rose petals, and the aroma would contribute to her physical wellbeing. In fact, Egyptians used scented oils in the mummification process.In addition to being used for stress relief, aromatherapy has been used to prevent disease, help in weight loss, and treat depression. Aromatherapy products are everywhere today. The next time you feel anxious or stressed out, take a soothing bath using your favorite bath oil, and light some scented candles. You will feel relaxed and calm in no time and will probably get a good night's sleep as well.

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

By Dr. Mercola

For more than 5,000 years, turmeric has been an important part of Eastern cultural traditions, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Valued for its medicinal properties and warm, peppery flavor, this yellow-orange spice has more recently earned a name for itself in Western medicine as well.

Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is native to Indonesia and southern India, and is widely used as an ingredient in curry dishes and yellow mustard. As research into this powerful spice has increased, it has emerged as one of nature’s most powerful potential healers.

Said Dr. David Frawely, founder and director of the American Institute for Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
“If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose the Indian spice Turmeric. There is little it cannot do in the realm of healing and much that no other herb is able to accomplish.

Turmeric has a broad spectrum of actions, mild but certain effects, and is beneficial for long term and daily usage. Though it is a common spice, few people, including herbalists know of its great value and are using it to the extent possible. It is an herb that one should get to know and live with.”

Turmeric’s Beneficial Effects in a Nutshell
Strengthens and improves digestion
Reduces gas and bloating
Assists in the digestion of protein and with rice and bean dishes
Improves your body's ability to digest fats
Promotes proper metabolism, correcting both excesses and deficiencies
Maintains and improves intestinal flora
Improves elimination of wastes and toxins
Supports healthy liver function and detox
Turmeric helps increase bile flow making it a liver cleanser that can rejuvenate your liver cells and recharge their capability to break down toxins
Helps to prevent alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to your liver
Supports formation of healthy tissue
Purifies your blood
Stimulates formation of new blood tissue
Anti-inflammatory: Helps to reduce irritation to tissues characterized by pain, redness, swelling and heat
Contains curcuminoids that fight cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s
Curcuminoids are potent phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients) that contain powerful antioxidant properties
Counteract the damaging effects of free radicals in your body
Relieve arthritis pain and stiffness, anti-inflammatory agent
Anti-carcinogenic: “Curcumin has been shown to prevent a large of number of cancers in animal studies. Laboratory data indicate that curcumin can inhibit tumor initiation, promotion, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.”[1]
Supports treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: “Because Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by amyloid-induced inflammation, curcumin has been shown to be effective against Alzheimer's. Clinical trials are in progress at UCLA with curcumin for Alzheimer's.”[2]
Curcumin: Turmeric’s Active Anti-Inflammatory “Ingredient”
Most notably turmeric is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which come from curcumin -- the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-orange color, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects. There are an estimated three to five grams of curcumin in 100 grams of turmeric.

Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been implicated in inflammation.[3]

Turmeric’s Cancer-Fighting Properties
In India where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers -- colon, breast, prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower. In fact, prostate cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in U.S. men, is rare in India and this is attributed, in part, to turmeric.

Numerous studies have looked into this potential cancer-fighting link, with promising results. For instance, curcumin has been found to:
Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells
Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor
Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body
Decrease inflammation
Enhance liver function
Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation
Prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth
As for the results of research studies, a study in Biochemical Pharmacology found that curcumin can slow the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs in mice.[4]
"Curcumin acts against transcription factors, which are like a master switch," said lead researcher, Bharat Aggarwal. "Transcription factors regulate all the genes needed for tumors to form. When we turn them off, we shut down some genes that are involved in the growth and invasion of cancer cells."
A second study in Biochemical Pharmacology also found that curcumin inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB, a regulatory molecule that signals genes to produce a slew of inflammatory molecules (including TNF, COX-2 and IL-6) that promote cancer cell growth.[5]

Turmeric’s Essential Role for Your Liver
Your liver’s primary role is to process and remove toxins carried in your bloodstream. When functioning at its peak, it can filter up to two liters of blood per minute and easily break apart toxic molecules to reduce their toxicity. Your liver is also a crucial part of vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, carbohydrate and hormonal metabolism.

However, poor diet, allergens, pollution and stress can cause your liver to become sluggish, and this can impair its vital functions. This is where turmeric can be a very useful part of your liver support system. Studies have shown that it:
May increase important detoxification enzymes in your liver
Induces the formation of a primary liver detoxification enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes
Turmeric is also a natural cholagogue, a medicinal agent that promotes the discharge of bile from your system. Increased bile flow is important to help your liver detoxify and to help your body digest fats.

Turmeric for Your Heart, Brain and Overall Health
Turmeric inhibits free radical damage of fats, including cholesterol. When cholesterol is damaged in this way, or oxidized, it can then damage your blood vessels and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, research suggests that turmeric’s ability to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol may be beneficial for your heart. It’s also rich in vitamin B6, high intakes of which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Meanwhile, turmeric appears to be highly protective against neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, in India levels of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s are very low, and studies have shown that curcumin can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in mice. The compound has also proven capable of blocking the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Further, Professor Moolky Nagabhushan from the Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, who has been studying turmeric for the last 20 years, believes that turmeric can protect against harmful environmental chemicals, and in so doing protect against childhood leukemia. The research showed that curcumin in turmeric can:[7]
Inhibit the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (cancer-causing chemicals in the environment)
Inhibit radiation-induced chromosome damage
Prevent the formation of harmful heterocyclic amines and nitroso compounds, which may result in the body when eating certain processed foods, such as processed meat products
Irreversibly inhibit the multiplication of leukemia cells in a cell culture
Turmeric's volatile oils also have external anti-bacterial action. As such, they may help prevent bacterial wound infections and accelerate wound healing. Johnson & Johnson even sells a curcumin-containing Band-Aid in India!
And the therapeutic potential of turmeric and curcumin do not end there. Evidence suggests the spice may also be beneficial for:
Cystic fibrosis
Type 2 diabetes
Crohn’s disease
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cataracts
Gallstones
Muscle regeneration
Inflammatory bowel disease
Which Type of Turmeric is Best?
For use in cooking, choose a pure turmeric powder, rather than a curry powder. At least one study has found that curry powders tend to contain very little curcumin, compared to turmeric powder. Turmeric is also available in supplement form and for many this is a more convenient method to obtain these health benefits discussed above, especially if they are from a high-quality organic source and if one doesn’t particularly enjoy the taste of curry.

What is pleurisy?

If you ask most people, "What is pleurisy," most probably couldn't tell you. They might know that pleurisy is a disease of the lungs, but they wouldn't be able to explain what causes it. Pleurisy is also called pleuritis.

Pleurisy is a disease caused by an infection in the lining, or pleura, of the chest cavity around the lungs. When the pleura become inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and even painful. Pain caused by pleurisy can be exceptionally troublesome and sharp.

There are several layers of pleura below the rib cage. One layer overlies the lungs. Another layer is on the inner wall of the chest. The layers of pleura rub together, which allow your lungs to expand and contract without bumping the chest wall.

When these pleura become inflamed, the lungs can't move easily within the chest, which causes pain and discomfort.


Causes of Pleurisy
Pleurisy can result from a number of different causes, and the causes may sometime be difficult to pin down. Typical causes include tuberculosis and other chest and lung infections, but a clot in the arteries in the lungs can also result in pleurisy.

Lupus, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pleurisy, as can an acute viral infection like the flu or pneumonia.


Pleural effusion
Someone who has pleurisy often experiences a build up of fluids in the chest lining. Doctors call this fluid build up "pleural effusion." This fluid lubricates the area and actually helps reduce breathing discomfort. But this can also lead to a problem if fluid accumulates because it can interfere with lung function, resulting in breathing difficulties. Sometimes the fluid becomes infected, which can lead to serious problems.


Pleurisy symptoms
Pleurisy symptoms can include

•dry cough,
•fever and chills,
•shortness of breath, and
•chest pain during breathing.
Pain in the chest will worsens with coughing, sneezing, moving or breathing in. Some people with pleurisy believe that holding their breath or applying pressure to the area of the chest lessens the pain.


TWhat is pleurisy?
If you ask most people, "What is pleurisy," most probably couldn't tell you. They might know that pleurisy is a disease of the lungs, but they wouldn't be able to explain what causes it. Pleurisy is also called pleuritis.

Pleurisy is a disease caused by an infection in the lining, or pleura, of the chest cavity around the lungs. When the pleura become inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and even painful. Pain caused by pleurisy can be exceptionally troublesome and sharp.

There are several layers of pleura below the rib cage. One layer overlies the lungs. Another layer is on the inner wall of the chest. The layers of pleura rub together, which allow your lungs to expand and contract without bumping the chest wall.

When these pleura become inflamed, the lungs can't move easily within the chest, which causes pain and discomfort.


Causes of Pleurisy
Pleurisy can result from a number of different causes, and the causes may sometime be difficult to pin down. Typical causes include tuberculosis and other chest and lung infections, but a clot in the arteries in the lungs can also result in pleurisy.

Lupus, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pleurisy, as can an acute viral infection like the flu or pneumonia.


Pleural effusion
Someone who has pleurisy often experiences a build up of fluids in the chest lining. Doctors call this fluid build up "pleural effusion." This fluid lubricates the area and actually helps reduce breathing discomfort. But this can also lead to a problem if fluid accumulates because it can interfere with lung function, resulting in breathing difficulties. Sometimes the fluid becomes infected, which can lead to serious problems.


Pleurisy symptoms
Pleurisy symptoms can include

•dry cough,
•fever and chills,
•shortness of breath, and
•chest pain during breathing.
Pain in the chest will worsens with coughing, sneezing, moving or breathing in. Some people with pleurisy believe that holding their breath or applying pressure to the area of the chest lessens the pain.


Treatment of pleurisy
Anyone with pleurisy has a number of treatment options available.

Pleurisy symptoms can sometimes be relieved simply by resting. Some doctors will recommend strapping the chest with a firm adhesive elastic bandage, but this might also prevent deep breathing and coughing up of mucus, which can both help clear the respiratory tract.

Painkillers may sometimes be appropriate. They help relieve the discomfort that comes with coughing. Cortisone drugs and anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in reducing the inflammation and therefore the pain that comes with pleurisy.

Quick attention to any symptom of a lung problem is the best prevention of pleurisy.reatment of pleurisy
Anyone with pleurisy has a number of treatment options available.

Pleurisy symptoms can sometimes be relieved simply by resting. Some doctors will recommend strapping the chest with a firm adhesive elastic bandage, but this might also prevent deep breathing and coughing up of mucus, which can both help clear the respiratory tract.

Painkillers may sometimes be appropriate. They help relieve the discomfort that comes with coughing. Cortisone drugs and anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in reducing the inflammation and therefore the pain that comes with pleurisy.

Quick attention to any symptom of a lung problem is the best prevention of pleurisy.

Lung Infection Basics

What is a lung infection?The words "lung infection" refer to a type of lung illness with a number of possible causes. A lung infection is any infection that occurs in the lung.The best known illnesses that involving a lung infection are described below:Bronchitis is an irritation or inflammation of the air passages from the windpipe to the lungs.Pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs when the air sacs of the lungs become fill with fluid. Pneumonia is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. In rare cases, it can also be caused by parasites or other harmful organisms. Also see walking pneumonia.Historically, two other types of lung infections have been common, but both of these have now been largely eliminated in the United States.Whooping cough involves the respiratory mucous membrane. This lung infection results in repeated spasmodic coughing that continues until the patient runs out of breath. Each bout ends with a "whoop" that gives the disease its name. It is caused by species of bacteria.Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. TB has virtually been wiped out in the developed countries, but this lung infection still kills many people every year in the Third World.Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome which has become better known as SARS, is a highly contagious lung infection first identified in China in 2002. SARS is an atypical form of pneumonia. ications, chemicals, toxins or other harmful substances can be the underlying cause of a lung infection.Side effects of certain med