Archive for April, 2010



What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer is the type of cancer that occurs in the tissues of a gland called Prostate. This gland is a small walnut-shaped located in the male reproductive system just below the bladder and in the front of the rectum.

What is its function?

Prostate Gland produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm. And this type of Cancer is found in the older men in most of the cases, especially among the American men.

In United States alone in 2007, a shocking estimate of 218,890 fresh cases Prostate Cancer has been reported, out of which 27,050 have died due to this disease.

This disease can spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body. As the malfunctionality of the Prostate Gland directly and seriously attacks the sexuality in a man, Prostate Cancer is scaring the most of the men like hell. Men are becoming much more aware these days about the side-effects of the various treatments available. And its side-effects treatments include bladder control problems (incontinence), erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence.

And if this disease is diagnosed in time when it is limited to the prostate gland, there is a great possibility to get rid of it as there are a number of treatments available with short-term side-effects. If unfortunately the the cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland, then a successful treatment is left with the least possibility. It becomes much difficult to remove it. But there is no need to get disappointed about as there are a lot more ways to cure it.

Symptoms

As such there are no proven symptoms because it does not get easily detected in its initial stages. They usually get discovered when the cancer reaches one of its very advanced stages.

But to name, there are a few of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that are found in certain cases.

Symptoms in Initial Stage

1. urgent and untimely urination

2. weak urine flow and leakage sometimes

3. difficulty in passing urine

4. discontinued urine flow

5. blood in urine

6. painful ejaculation

7. discomfort or dull pain in your lower pelvic area

8. frequent urination during night

9. loss of appetite and weight

10. constant bone pain

11. dull pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs

12. painful urination

Symptoms in Advanced Stage

Bone Pain- When the cancer cells reach other parts of your body especially the bones, then bone pain occurs. This pain occurs in particular parts like in the vertebrae (bones of the spine), ribs or pelvis. Pain in your spine sometimes compresses the spinal cord and causes leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence (bladder control problems).

Through this information, it will become easier for you to diagnose whether the symptoms you are feeling in you are related to prostate cancer or not. So, that you can go for the treatment that you need.

I wish you the best of health always!



Hay fever affects millions of people around the world every year. And one of the most common and prolific triggers is grass pollen. Because climate is regional, so is pollen’s arrival. But whenever grass pollen shows up in your town, knowing the answers to the following frequently asked questions will help you cope.

What is Hay Fever? It is a pollen allergy that is triggered by tree, grass or weed pollen. Once inhaled, the body reacts with a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, watery eyes and other symptoms which can make the allergy sufferer so miserable. Reacting with these symptoms is commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis.

How can you tell whether you’re allergic to grass pollen or to something else? The best way to determine what triggers your allergies is to see an allergist. You will be given a skin test for a variety of allergens and they will be able to tell you whether your allergies result from a one particular allergen, or a combination of allergens which is more often the case.

Can Hay Fever be the result of an allergic reaction to something other than grass pollen? Yes, it can not only be an allergic reaction to pollen from not only grass, but trees, and weeds or a combination.

When is Hay Fever Season? Depending on what you are allergic to, the season starts in early spring will tree pollen, continues in spring and summer with grass pollen, and on through summer and late fall with weed pollen.

Are there any medications that can provide relief? Yes, there are several approaches that medicines take. One type minimizes the symptoms once they are occurring (antihistamines, corticosteroids, and decongestants), and the other type minimizes your body’s sensitivity to the triggers (leukotriene modifiers and Cromolyn sodium) therefore reducing the reaction and the symptoms which would normally follow. The best plan is to see an allergist who will create a plan that best suits your overall health and the severity of your condition.

Are there any newer treatments on the horizon? Grazax, a once a day tablet that was developed in England several years ago, is being used for children age 5-17 in England and Canada who suffer with severe hay fever. Its 2 prong approach works to not only control symptoms, but sensitivity to the allergen. There have been studies done here in the States, but the drug, as of this date, does not have FDA approval.

Can a HEPA air purifier really be effective in removing pollen? High efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifiers are extremely efficient in eliminating pollen because by definition they are designed to remove airborne particulates down to .3 microns. Tree, grass and weed pollens range from 2 to 100 microns in size, so they are easily trapped by a filter whose openings are only .3 microns. In addition, these cleaners can also trap other household pollutants that often combine to exacerbate hay fever such as household dust, mold and mildew spores, and pet dander.



Purifiers

Air purifiers with UV filters are often used in sterile environments such as hospitals, kitchens, daycares, and labs. Pre-Filters remove pet hair and other large particles prior to primary filtration and come with nearly all air purifiers. Other units, like 3M air filters, rely solely on electrostatic filters as an inexpensive alternative to HEPA filters. Air Filters/cleaners help allergy sufferers by removing allergens in a room specific environment. Air Filters/cleaners only remove airborne contaminants and allergens. We suggest purchasing air purifiers for the bedroom first.

Quality air filters create an air cycle in a one room environment and filter that air through quality filter media. Actually, most people unknowingly benefit from the white noise from air purifiers. Air purifiers that have been tested by AHAM should have the AHAM Certified seal and CADR numbers for three pollutants: tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust. Noise Level some air purifiers, such as the Blue air units, are extremely quiet, while others can be quite loud when operating at high power. Energy Usage Like all appliances, different air purifiers use different amounts of energy for operation. Unlike most appliances, air purifiers run continuously, so you’ll want to consider your utility bill before buying an air purifier.

Dust

Airborne Particles include pet dander, dust mite allergen, pollen, plant spores, fungi, mold, and tobacco smoke, and they are the most common cause of indoor allergy and asthma attacks. HEPA air Cleaner are the most popular, and they are perfect for eliminating household allergens such as dust, animal dander, and pollen, but they are not very good at capturing ultra-fine particles like viruses or eliminating foul odors, organic compounds, or chemical fumes. For example, our #1-selling Austin Air Health mate utilizes a HEPA filter along with a to help eliminate dust and odors. This air Filter Company was originally developed by the Atomic Energy Commission to capture radioactive dust particles. Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, mold spores, and dust get trapped in the filter.

These ions combine with impurities (like dust) in the air, forcing the impurities to cling to a nearby surface. Particles that are lighter than air include pollen, mold spores, animal dander and dust. These, as well as heavier dust mites and dust mite particulate, can be effectively filtered from the air in your home by using a quality air filter. One of the easiest particulates to filter from the air is dust. Air purifiers that have been tested by AHAM should have the AHAM Certified seal and CADR numbers for three pollutants: tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust.

Certain manufacturers and products are highly respected in the industry for a reason and the same goes for products which have garnered less respect. HEPA air filters were developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during the Second World War to remove radio active dust from their plants, and are recommended by the U. HEPA Air Filter Strengths: Removal of dust, pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and other allergens. Technologies that Compliment UV Air Filer/cleaner: HEPA Air Filters and Air Ionizers to remove and capture solid particles, including dust and other allergens, which are not affected by UV lamps.

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Anemia is defined as a low red blood cell count. It can be caused by blood loss, destruction of red blood cells or the inadequate production of the red blood cells. Below I have listed some of the causes of Anemia in dogs, signs, and treatments.

Causes of Anemia

Blood loss – caused as a result of an accident, poisoning, bleeding ulcers, and parasites (such as hookworms or whipworms).

Destruction of red blood cells – caused by parasites, bacterial toxins, poisons and/or immune reactions.

Inadequate production of red blood cells – A reduced or abnormal production of new red blood cells in the bone marrow due to tumors, kidney disease, poisons, or acute infections. The most frequently cause of Anemia is from vitamin and mineral deficiencies that are caused by a poor diet.

Anemia can also be caused by cancer, immune-mediated disease, (which is a disease in the dogs body that attacks its own cells or organs), toxins, genetic defects, inflammatory disease, drug reactions, kidney failure, and also from a generalized chronic long term illness.

Signs of Anemia

Pale gums
Unsettled behavior
Inability to exercise
Increased respiratory rate
Weight loss because of decreased appetite
Episodes of collapse
Evidence of blood loss
Blood in the urine or feces
Yellow discoloration of the skin
Abdominal distension
Vomiting

Treatment of Anemia

The treatment depends on what is causing the Anemia. Your dog will need plenty of rest to help him build up strength while recovering. Your Vet may give your dog some iron supplements and vitamins to help with the anemia and put your dog on a special diet to help speed up his recovery. Follow your Veterinarians instructions for home care. He will explain everything to you on how to take care of your dog and how and when to give your dog his medicine. Your Vet will want you to bring your dog back for check-ups to document his progress. If at any time your dog gets worse, your Veterinarian will want to see him as soon as possible.

Prevention

Any time you suspect a problem with your dogs health, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your Veterinarian. Taking your dog for regular check ups a couple times a year will help your Vet keep track of your dogs health. This way your Vet can compare notes he has made in the past, which can help him spot any problems before they get out of hand.



As we mentioned in other articles, endometriosis growing somewhere else other than the endometrium also reacts to hormonal signals of the monthly menstrual cycle, building up tissue by breaking it, and eliminating it through the menstrual period. As we know chemical cells salt play a very important role in some culture in treating some kinds of diseases. In this article, we will discuss how Calcarea Phosphorica (calcium phosphate, Ca3(Po4)) helps to treat endometriosis.

I. Definition

Calcarea Phosphorica (calcium phosphate, Ca3(Po4)), also known as phosphate of lime. it plays an important role for body growth and nourishment. It has been used in treating people with anemia in homeopathic medicine.

II. How Calcarea phosphorica (calcium phosphate, Ca3(Po4)) effects endometriosis

1. Anemia
Calcarea phosphorica is a homeopathic medicine that is said to helps increase the production of red blood cell and blood. It is essential for women with heavy blood flow during menstruation for replacing blood loss.

2. Tissue relaxation
It is also said to help support the body tissues, including the abdominal muscle tissue, thereby it helps to relax the muscle tension caused by hormone imbalance resulting in decreasing the menstrual cramps for women with endometriosis.

3. Coagulation
Calcarea phosphorica is also helps to support body tissues by blood clotting that helps to reduce excessive menstrual flow by helping the capillaries and blood vessels in the abdomen to clot.

4. Water retention
It also helps to stimulate waste disposal through lympathic functions thereby decreasing the risk of water retention caused by excessive sodium and deficiency of potassium.

5. Numbness and crawling
Numbness and crawling is caused by irregular function of tissues due to tension of nervous system. By improving the body tissues’ function such as muscle and blood flow, calcarea phosphorica helps to relax and reduce pain for women with endometriosis.



Fortunately for your Havanese care needs, you have more choices in veterinarians and clinics than ever before. While there are those still in the traditional private practices, there are also clinics popping up in large chain super pet stores. Even if your Havanese is not sick now, you need to have a regular and emergency vet picked out. You also need to know how to get to their offices.

Hopefully, your dog won’t get any of the allergies effecting Havanese, but it can happen. It is far less stressful for your dog and you to have a vet chosen in advance, since the both of you will being a lot of him or her. Although Havanese are a relatively healthy breed of dog, they still are prone to getting allergies like all dogs can. These allergies are mostly allergies to foods, chemicals or even pollen.

It is perfectly all right to ask your prospective veterinarian what kind of experience he or she has had with small dogs, and not just animals in general. Although the days of general veterinary practices are numbered, there are those vets out there who are still jack-of-all-trades. Vets now specialize in “regular”, exotic pets or livestock, and some specialize in cats or dogs. Some veterinary practices will have diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and some won’t.

A vet’s education never ends – at least it shouldn’t end. There should be times when the vet is off to conferences or classes on the latest veterinary techniques. Your regular vet should be able to provide you with an emergency vet’s contact information if you were too lazy to get one before you brought you dog home. Havanese care isn’t too difficult, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If your Havanese starts scratching so bad they bleed or leave red, hairless spots, your dog probably is suffering from an allergy that can affect Havanese, which can affect other dogs, too. Havanese allergies are usually never contagious wither to humans or to other dogs. Your dog is most likely allergic to some sort of plant, a food ingredient or a chemical in laundry detergent or shampoos.

Your vet should be especially concerned about your Havanese’ care. He or she will want to know about everything that touches your dog – where he plays, what plants are in where he plays, what medications are given and if he eats any of his toys. The vet will most likely do a skin scrape and send it to a lab to help with allergy diagnosis. The vet may also ask you to put your Havanese on a bland diet of chicken and rice in order to determine if the dog has a food allergy.



Most allergies produce only uncomfortable symptoms although some of them may cause death. People need to be very careful if they have allergies. There are some people that will experience great discomfort when they eat anything which have this delicious fruit in it, If have a pineapple allergy. A great fruit salad could be very tempting, but someone with a pineapple allergy could feel awful soon after eating that salad. A pineapple allergy appears soon after eating something made with pineapple, but the problem may not be seemed a real mystery at first.

Sometime it may be hard to imagine that something so good could produce such a reaction. A person with a pineapple allergy might have a bright red rash soon after eating a wonderful dish with this tropical fruit. There are some substances in the pineapple that makes some people sick. People with a pineapple allergy can sometime eat canned pineapple to avoid this reaction.

Outside their own homes they may be offered only fresh pineapple. To avoid an adverse reaction, many people with a pineapple allergy will have to avoid the fruit completely.

Those with a Pineapple Allergy Should Consult Physician

People suffer from allergies in many different ways. Some of these allergies can be deadly and so any one with allergies should consult their physician. If a person suspects that they have a pineapple allergy, they should go to the doctor and explain the circumstances of any bad episode. Allergy symptoms often appear suddenly after eating and sometime those who are affected do not come to know what triggered the problem exactly.

The food look great before they start eating it so sometimes it is hard to imagine what triggered some awful symptoms. A doctor will be able to administer a series of tests that can pinpoint the source of an illness. These tests will help to identify a pineapple allergy or a latex allergy.

With the information, a physician will be able to prescribe a course of action or medication. A physician may recommend that a person with a pineapple allergy to eliminate the food from their diet completely. The doctor may recommend a course of treatment for the person who has an adverse reaction.

Allergies can be very troublesome, but there are many medications and strategies that can provide relief for those who suffer. Any one with an allergy can rest assured that they will be able to conquer the allergies that affects them.



Anyone who exercises regularly will know that there are occasions when you lose motivation. After a long day at work all you want to do is go home and collapse on the sofa in front of the television. This is a familiar scenario for many people but there are steps you can take which will help you to stay motivated for exercise.

If you feel tired and unsure of how to get motivated to exercise in the evening, you can always try getting your workout completed first thing in the morning. Your energy levels will be at their peak so tiredness will not be a problem. This gets your physical exercise out of the way before your normal day starts. It also sets the tone for the rest of your day.

Another way to ensure you are getting enough exercise is to take advantage of your lunch break. You can go running or visit a local gym. Many large companies also have on-site gymnasiums which allow employees to use fitness equipment without leaving their place of work. This makes good use of your time and will have you feeling invigorated upon your return to work.

Sometimes a chronic lack of energy can mask underlying health problems. In this scenario, it might be a good idea to visit your doctor for a check up. If your body has an iron deficiency this may explain problems with persistent tiredness. Exercise can cause slow depletion of iron levels. This is because iron is lost through sweating. Taking an iron supplement may have a positive effect on your energy levels and your attitude towards exercise.

There will be occasions when you are just not in the mood for strenuous physical activity. This is usually a case of not feeling motivated rather than due to any serious fatigue. A vigorous exercise session will quickly make you feel more energized. If fatigue really is a problem, one solution that works well is to shorten your training session. You can reduce the intensity or the overall length of the session. This will help you to get through your workout and maintains your fitness levels. You may also discover that once you get going your fatigue quickly disappears.

Another way to get motivated for exercise is to mix your workout up by trying different combinations of exercises and intensity. If you are running outdoors, try to vary your route. When you are in the gym, always ensure your session differs from your previous one. You will be surprised at the effect this has on your motivation. After reading this article, you should know exactly how to get motivated to exercise.



Imagine a garden hose. If there is little water pressure as you are trying to wash your car, the hose is flimsy and kinks easily. However, if there is high water pressure, the hose is firm, the water sprays out in greater amounts, and the hose may even burst. Your body’s arteries and veins work in the same way. Blood pressure is basically the force exerted on the walls of your blood vessels. Typically, blood pressure is measure in your larger arteries, and it is measure in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

When you measure your blood pressure, you will get two different numbers, known as systolic and diastolic. The systolic number records your blood presure at its peak in the cycle (remember, your heart pumps in a beat, so blood flow is not consistant every single moment), while diastolic blood pressure measures your blood flow at its lowest moment in the cycle. A healthy adult’s blood pressure is usually around 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure varies slightly from beat to beat and can vary greatly over the course of the day, so to get an accurate estimate, you should measure your blood pressure at the same point in the day every day. Adults are considered normal if they fall in the 90 to 135 mm Hg range for systolic blood pressure and the 50 to 110 mm HG range for diastolic blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common disease among adults. There are many causes of high blood pressure, but overall, long-term high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes. Because this is a serious disease, doctors and other health care professionals (or simply people worried about the health of themselves and their families) are taking great steps to prevent high blood pressure. However, it is important to remember that the first step to lowering your high blood pressure is to understand it in the first place.

To go back to the garden hose example, high pressure can occur in a number of ways. First, the pump could start pumping water through the hose at a higher rate. This will cause more water to flow through the hose, and put extra strain on the pump, or, in your body’s case, the heart. However, imagine trying to pumping honey through the hose instead of water. Even if you pump at a slower rate, you still need to have extra effort exerted from the pump. This occurs in the blood if your blood thickens, which can happen if you have high blood sugar or a higher than normal red blood cell count.

Now, imagine you hook up a skinner hose to the same pump–water pressure would be greater in this case as well. The same thing happens if your blood vessels are smaller than normal, which can be the case if you have fatty build-up in your arteries. Finally, the amount of blood flowing through your system effects blood pressure. Unlike with a graden hose, you blood is part of a closed system moset of the time–that is, it doesn’t leave the body, at least not in large amounts. When it does, the body quickly produces more to counteract the loss. However, if your body produces too much, this can also lead to high blood presure.

Blood pressure is extremely important to regulating the overall health of our bodies. By understanding this concept, we can grasp how to better take care of our health. Although confusing at first, blood pressure is actually as simple as using a garden hose, so anyone can learn how to measure blood pressure to better take care of their body.



Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves cells and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 is also called Cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. During digestion hydrochloric acid in our stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods. This vitamin B12 then combines with a substance called gastric intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Deficiency:

Though Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble it does not get excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and gets stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Thus its deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. The most common vitamin B-12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells. You may suffer from underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B-12.It is seen that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s actually suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has also been associated with.

Common signs and symptoms associated with Vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

o Anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss

o Neurological problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

o Difficulty in maintaining balance

o Depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory

o Soreness of the mouth or tongue

o Asthma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts

o In infants it will lead to movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated by taking folic acid but it cannot correct the nerve damage also caused by B12 deficiency. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated.
Amount required:

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by our body is about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Larger amounts of this vitamin has to be supplied through diet or supplementation as it does not get absorbed very well. Vegetarians have to be careful as vegetables and fruits do not provide sufficient vitamin B-12. It has been recorded that mainly strict, long-term vegetarians suffer from its deficiency. The production of the intrinsic factor required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine also starts to decline rapidly with age. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb’s liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts.

Supplementation:

Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can be taken which is safe, efficient and not very expensive. If you take a B12 supplement containing ten micrograms or more everyday, it will be the same as consuming one microgram on three occasions through the day. 2000 micrograms of B12 consumed once a week would also provide an adequate intake. These B12 supplement tablet should be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth to enhance absorption. You should not exceed more than what is required for maximum benefit.

It is best that you consult with your physician how much Vitamin B-12 you should consume as he can examine your body and tell you the dosage according to your body requirements.