Prostate Cancer & Treatment Overview

Prostate Cancer   & Treatment Overview
By: http://www.skybluecross.com
Introduction:

Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It surrounds the neck of bladder & the first part of urethra and condributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter.It has got five lobes anterior,posterior,two lateral and a median lobe.Since the first part of the urethra pass through it any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine.

Diseases of the prostate gland:

1) Prostatitis:

This is the inflamation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.

2) Benign enlargement of the prostate:-

This is a non cancerous tumour of the prostate seen after the age of 50. 3,Cancer of the prostate:-This is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males.

Cancer of the prostate.

Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.It is found that after the removel of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumour.

Site of tumour:-

Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe.Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes.

Changes in the gland in cancer:-

The gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation .Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland)

Growth :-

Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumour compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination.

Spread of tumour:-

Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early.

1) Local spread:-

From the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.Tumour cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder.

2) Lymphatic spread:-

Through the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes.From there cells move to retroperitonial(Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes(in the chest)

3) Spread through the blood:-

Spread of cancer cells takeplace through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:--

Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer. The following symptoms may be seen.

1) No symptoms:-

Tumour is small and only in the posterior lobe. This is diagnosed accidentely.

2) Slight difficulty in urination:-

Here the tumour is enlarged and urethra is slightly compressed.Shortly there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination.

3) When the tumour spread to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding.Urine comes drop by drop.

4) Retention of urine:-

When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine.This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure ect.In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma.

5) Signs of metastasis:-

Some patients come with the signs and symptoms of metastasis.

a) Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.

b) Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine.

c) Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen.

d) Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs.

e) General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.

f) Anaemia due to involment of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs.

Clinical examination :-

Includes per rectal examination to feel the prostate gland,palpation of abdomen to feel the swelling in kidneys and any tumours.Patient is examined from head to foot to find out any lesions.

Investigations:-

1) Complete blood investigations;-

RBC,WBC,Platlets,ESR,bleeding time ,clotting time ect.

2) Urine analysis:-

Microscopic examination to detect pus cells,occult blood,casts,Crystals ect.

3) Renal function tests:-

Blood urea level,serum creatinine level,electrolyte level ect.

4) Serum acid phosphatase:-

Increased in cancer of prostate.

5) x-ray of the spine:-

To detect any tumour or fracture.

6) Ultra sonography;

Gives idea about prostate,bladder,kidney ect.

7) C T scan:

More detailed information about organs and tumour.

8) MRI of the spine:

Gives detailed information about spine ,disc and nearby soft tissues.

9) Lymphangiography:

Gives idea about lymphatic spread of cancer.

10) Biopsy to confirm cancer:

Biopsy is taken from the tumour and is send for histopathological examination under the microscope.This will detect the presence of cancer cells.

Treatment:-

1) If there is retention of urine catheterisation is needed.
2) Dialysis if kidney failure.
3) If there is coma monitoring of all vital functions along with parentral nutrition and electolyte supply.
4) Specific treatment is prostatectomy(removal of prostate)

Partial prostatectomy :-

Here only the affected lobe is removed.

Radical prostatectomy :

Total removal of prostate along with nearby lymphnodes.

5, Hormone therapy :

Stilbestrol is given to reduce tumour growth.Since this treatement increases the chance for cardiovascular disease phosphorylated diethyle stilbesterol is used nowadays.

6) Chemotherapy:-Drugs like cyclophosphamide, cisoplatim ect are given.

7) Radiotherapy is also done for some cases.

8) Homoeopathy:

Homoeopathic drugs like carcinocin, conium, sabal, crotalus, thuja, iodum, selinium, staphysagria, sulphur ect can be given according to symptoms.Constitutional homoeopathic medicine will give great relief and can increase the life span.

9) Yoga and meditation is also healpful.

What You Need to Know about Reiki Treatment
By: http://www.skybluecross.com

If you have not yet heard of Reiki treatment, then now is the best time to get to know it. Reiki is an age old healing technique that utilizes energy of different levels to cure and attain the balance that should exist among the spirit, the mind, and the body. There are claims that the same technique had been used by none other than Jesus Christ along with the rest of the great spiritual healers of the times. The Reiki which the contemporary world is familiar with in these days is the same thing that had been rediscovered by Mikao Usui in the 20th century. Through time, the strategies have been adapted, used, and then mixed and matched so that explains why there are different variations that we have today. The variations that exist are in support of the known interpretations and belief systems. It is to be taken note that Reiki is not in any way related to a body of faith or religion. It exists in its own consciousness.

Understanding Reiki in a Better Way

In order to achieve a clearer view of Reiki and the system of treatment that it covers, one has to dig deeper into the essence of the philosophy of illness. The modern medical arena feeds on the fact that the human body is similar to a mechanical device that when any of the systems get damaged, it can be mended by means of repair or replacement. As a typical way of handling the human body dilemma, surgeries and drugs are often recommended. Say for example, a headache is cured by taking a pain reliever pill.

On the other hand, what is known as the holistic medicine employs a very different type of approach in addressing the human health. It respects each part that comprises an individual. It looks into the mental, the physical, the spiritual, and the emotional components of a person. It relies on the concept that once parts of the abovementioned systems malfunction, the rest of the body structures get affected. In fact, it poses its effect on the person's life in general.

To solve such ordeal, the main root of the problem should be tracked down. Once the body feels bad, the symptoms can be felt and spotted sooner or later. What the busy individuals fail to realize is that the body indicates some warning signs which when ignored may lead to more serious problems.

The Main Role of the Reiki Practitioners

The Reiki practitioners emphasize that the little warnings should never be ignored. They may appear insignificant at first but later on you will find out how serious the problem may be. Thus, they address this concern by making use of the Reiki energy to free or heal the problematic tissues. As soon as the symptoms have been eliminated, they encourage a change in the person's way of life. They fully point out how the balance in the overall health should be maintained and why it is very necessary to do so.

Many a times have Reiki treatment been regarded as valuable. Since the earliest time, this technique has never faltered. In these modern days, one should consider looking back to the days of yore when everything was yet balanced and harmonized. After all, it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

How to do Pain Relief?

 How to do  Pain Relief?
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What is the definition of pain? According to medical experts, it is an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience. It is oftentimes associated with damaged body tissues. Pain is a personal experience and it varies from one individual to another. Pain management is a discipline used by medical professionals today in order to cope with pain. Trained physicians can help patients suffering from acute, chronic, and progressive pain in eliminating the unpleasant experience.

Trauma can lead to acute pain. It is reversible but there is a need to correct any underlying problem. Chronic pain is caused by certain conditions that can’t be easily diagnosed. In this case, it will be quite difficult to reverse it; typical examples are referred pain, neuropathy, and cancer. If you’re suffering from such conditions, pain management is introduced individually to meet the varying needs of the sufferer. Pain is already a symptom of the disease so it would be impossible to remove it at once.

Pain management is a multi disciplinary approach used by only qualified professionals. The approach is a combination of interventional procedures, narcotics, and analgesics. Aside from that, the approach also involves cognitive therapy and biofeedback, also known as psychological measures. Practitioners of pain management are considered experts in their own medical field. Medical professionals who practice pain management include psychiatrists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and physiatrists. These individuals are experts in handling pain, whether in the use of drugs and in other interventional measures.

Nurses and doctors give particular attention to pain management because it is a major area in the medical field. When treating various kinds of diseases, pain management is already part of the treatment program especially in the case of serious accidents, tumors, and cancer.

With the help of the doctors, nurses, and other concerned personnel, the patient will better understand his or her condition. If they know what they are dealing with, it will be easier to address the pain problem.

Pain is not always physical. Some individuals tend to suffer from emotional pain. It is vital that pain sufferers consult the appropriate medical expert. In most cases, referrals are being utilized. If a certain medical practitioner can’t handle the pain problem, the patient will be referred to the appropriate pain management expert.

Not all patients are willing to take drugs and other interventional measures provided by medical experts. Some say that they don’t want to experience the side effects of such drugs or medications. For those individuals who are tired of using conventional medicines to handle pain, they can turn to alternative pain relief tools.

What are these alternative approaches? It includes yoga, Reiki, herbs, and other natural means of relieving pain. If you want to opt for these approaches, it would be best to consult the experts and experienced individuals. In the case of herbs, you can search the internet for local herbalists to help you with the herbal preparations. If you want to learn more about yoga or Reiki, you should contact the yoga practitioners in your area. Learning from the experts will ensure your safety and the effectiveness of such approach. There are also online resources that can help you finding videos, CDs or DVDs on meditation techniques.

Pain relief can be addressed using conventional medicine but the pain sufferer can also opt for the alternative methods. It’s a good thing that people today can choose the best treatment that suits their needs.
 

Health And Other Benefits Of Natural Organic Foods

 Health And Other Benefits Of Natural Organic Foods

 By: http://www.skybluecross.com
It’s not everyday that a person has the chance to change the way that they eat. You might try to do so, become healthier and eat healthier but in a great many ways you will be thwarted in this desire. This is why the benefits of organic food can have a far reaching effect on you, more so than you might have thought.

Why do I say this? Because even though you might try to become healthy and change your way of living, it is extremely difficult to do so in many circumstances...


It’s not everyday that a person has the chance to change the way that they eat. You might try to do so, become healthier and eat healthier but in a great many ways you will be thwarted in this desire. This is why the benefits of organic food can have a far reaching effect on you, more so than you might have thought.

Why do I say this? Because even though you might try to become healthy and change your way of living, it is extremely difficult to do so in many circumstances. With the advent of more and more organic foods onto the scene however, it becomes easier to hold to your desire to live a healthier lifestyle. Why? For the simple reason that your healthy eating habits become even healthier when they come in the guise of organic foods.

As you can see, the benefits of organic foods are many and you need only to scratch the surface to start finding them. As you dig deeper you will find there are more and more benefits of organic foods, some of which you might not even have thought about.

So what are the benefits of organic foods? Well, to begin with, organic foods are produced in such a way that there are no chemicals in the growing process or in the case of animals, the rearing process.

No chemicals are introduced into the mix and only natural fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used. In the case of farm animals, only organic feed is given to them, so you can be assured that when you get organic meats or milks and things that the animals too are reared according to organic standards.

There are also other benefits to organic food which includes the exclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMO). GMO’s to put it succinctly are foods which have had their genetic structure modified in some way or other.

While this might seem to yield many benefits in the field of agriculture by providing farmers with larger amounts of useable crops, no one still fully knows what the disadvantages are of modifying the genetic structure of living organisms. You need to look no further to find further such glaring deficits that science only found out about years after their regular and widespread usage, than to look at Lead and how bad we consider that to be.

To that extent, the benefits of organic food far outweigh the dubious goodness of non-organic foods, at least until the jury comes back in on that question. The only problem is the high cost of organic foods – the medical costs that you might incur upon seeing your monthly food bill after going organic might put you off the many benefits of organic food until such time as they become less expensive!

Cheap, Healthy Foods - Watch Your Weight And Your Budget

 Cheap, Healthy Foods - Watch Your Weight And Your Budge
By: http://www.skybluecross.com

 A major issue for those who are trying to create a healthy lifestyle is the cost of healthy food. There are many products on the shelves of your local grocery store that are healthy,

 but most of them have a larger price tag than the unhealthy, high-fat foods. There are options. If you shop wisely, you can eat healthier than you ever have before and decrease your grocery bill at the same time. Nutritious eating doesn't need to be expensive.

 Less Junk = More Savings:
 ...
 A major issue for those who are trying to create a healthy lifestyle is the cost of healthy food. There are many products on the shelves of your local grocery store that are healthy,

 but most of them have a larger price tag than the unhealthy, high-fat foods. There are options. If you shop wisely, you can eat healthier than you ever have before and decrease your grocery bill at the same time. Nutritious eating doesn't need to be expensive.

 Less Junk = More Savings:

 In choosing healthy foods, keep in mind that you will automatically be spending less than before due to the absence of junk foods that you may normally purchase such as soft drinks, sugary snacks, and high fat meats.

 Less Waste = Less Waiste:

 Healthy eating is not just eliminating certain foods from your diet; it is replacing them with healthy foods. And, if weight control is your goal, you will also be reducing your portion sizes, which will mean less money spent on each meal.

 Less Meat, More Veggies:

 Reducing the amount of meat you eat and replacing it with vegetables is a great way to save money. Fresh vegetables are not nearly as expensive as meat or poultry and your body will thank you for it. Salad is another cheap, healthy food. The pre-packaged salads will cost a bit more than if you purchase the lettuce and other vegetables separately and prepare the salad yourself.

 Frugal Fruit:

 Fruit can be a somewhat expensive, but if you purchase canned fruits in low-sugar syrup or water, you will pay relatively little in comparison to fresh fruit. Apples and oranges are inexpensive compared to some other fruits and you can often find sales that will further reduce your expenses.

 Beans and Rice are Nice:

 Legumes and rice are very inexpensive and you can use either or both of these to replace meat several times per week.

 Save on Meat:

 Canned fish costs considerably less than fresh fish and still contains most of the nutrients. Canned tuna and salmon are very cheap and are very low in fat and calories if you choose the varieties packed in water rather than oil. Chicken is less expensive if you purchase a whole chicken and remove the skin yourself before cooking.

 Healthy food does not have to be expensive. You can purchase cheap healthy foods and not only eliminate unhealthy fat and calories, but you can actually save money if you shop wisely.
 

How to choose healthy foods

How to choose healthy foods
By: http://www.skybluecross.com

Today's hectic and demanding lifestyle as well as the emergence of convenient stores is among the major reasons why people skip their healthy meals. After learning how to depend on fast food stores and convenience stores, it is easier for people to just grab a food that contains less nutrition compared to those foods that matter.

With all these drastic changes in the habit of eating, food preparation and food options, people have become more prone to various diseases because their bodies fail to absorb the nutrients it needs. Contrary to common conception, healthy foods need not to be expensive, rare or hard to prepare. In fact, most of these recommended foods for healthy living is cheaper, abundant, and easier to prepare compared to those that can be bought in the nearest convenient store.

Why choose healthy foods?

Most food and nutrition experts say that healthy eating is not about what people cannot eat, it is about what people could eat in order to get the optimum nutrition that their bodies need.

If you are one of those who are on their way of learning to eat healthy foods, the best valuable thing that you can do when buying inside the grocery store or super market is to pick those that are fresh, unprocessed and whole. This is very ideal especially if you plan to buy fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and sprouts.

Considered as live foods, being fresh ensures that the food still contain the greatest amount of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that provides the body with optimum nutrition. Make sure that you eat fruits that are fresh, dried without sulfur dioxide or frozen without preservatives and avoid eating fruits that are canned and in heavy syrup because these have preservatives, additives, and sweeteners. Also, eat veggies that are fresh or raw, lightly steamed, baked and dried without sulfur and avoid eating veggies that are frozen with preservatives, additives, sweeteners.

Always opt for fresh sprouts and avoid veggies that are fried or overcooked. When it comes to grains, opt for whole grain products that are unprocessed, nonirradiated, non genetically modified, sugar free, no chemical additives, no preservatives and other whole grain & sprouted grain products like bread, muffins, tortillas, cereals, and pasta, crackers. Avoid products with white flour, unbleached flour, enriched flour, sweeteners, chemical additives, refined and processed grains, white rice, quick oats, instant oatmeal, and instant cereals.

When it comes to legumes, choose beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Avoid using canned legumes prepared without animal fat, with chemical additives, sweeteners, pork and beans, and soybeans. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, filberts, pine nuts, cashews, raw seeds, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, raw nut butters, and tahini should be eaten raw. Avoid eating dry roasted nuts and seeds. Also, make sure that you choose animal foods such as eggs, poultry and other meat that are free range, hormone and antibiotic free as well as grass fed. In fish, opt for those that have the lowest exposure to mercury.

Aside from this, you should always consider eating organic foods over to those commercially-produced ones. Nutritionists say that organic foods are indeed the purest and healthiest foods out there because they are not yet contaminated with pesticides and have higher percentage of nutrition.

Lastly, learning to read and check the label of the food item that you are about to buy is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be eating healthy food. Checking if the item is properly labeled—especially these are pre-packaged—is your main defense and protection against possible adverse effects and unwanted ingredients or contents.

how to Have Healthy Beauty

By: http://www.skybluecross.com

An old fad always said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and people work hard every day to bring it out. Beauty and health tips must be applied for people to have glowing skin, hair and nails. There are beauty and health tips that people need to apply if they are to achieve the results they so want. For a healthy skin, people must first of all ensure that they are on the right diet. Drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday is a must. Water allows for the removal of toxins in the body thereby leaving a glowing and hydrated skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also a must for a healthy and beautiful skin. When it comes to the use of beauty products, people must know what works for their skin type. The common skin types include normal skin, oily skin, dry skin and a combination of the two.

Getting skin type tests makes ideal beauty and health tips when it comes to skin care. People will be better placed in picking beauty products that go with their skins. For instance, applying oily products to an already oily skin will cause more harm than good. The steps for face cleaning must be followed. The products used must be skin friendly to ensure that they do not corrode it. If irritation occurs, discontinuation of use is recommended. One of the most popular moisturizers is the Cetaphil Cream which is specially made for dry and sensitive skin. It costs about 12.97 USD. The Purpose Cleanser is suitable for all skin type and costs as little as 6 USD. It is oil free and cleans the skin effectively. The Cetaphil Cleanser goes for about 10 USD and works well with both normal and dry skins.

Healthy hair is a plus for all people and the proper beauty and health tips must be followed. Hair must always be kept clean and free from dandruff and other infections. A healthy diet mainly composed of fruits such as avocado is of essence. The right shampoo must be used for a healthy and beautiful finish. It is also ideal to pick the best hairstyle that matches the facial structure. Hair additions and extensions give 'bad hair' a whole new life.

Eyes are the windows to the soul and applying proper beauty and health tips will lead to more beautiful and healthy eyes. Eye care will include enough hours of sleep to ensure that they do not look puffy and tired. The right eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner may be applied according to preference and occasion. Use of false eyelashes gives a fuller feel and look and the eyes will definitely look gorgeous. To maintain healthy looking eyes, the makeup applied must be removed before retiring to bed. This will rid them of harm from the chemicals in eye makeups. Red eyes can be cleared through use of eye drops such as the Blue Collyre.