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Women’s Infertility
Wanting a child is a basic need for many women. After months or
years of trying to conceive without success, the unhappy couple seeks
medical advice. In about 1/3 of the cases the problem is caused by the
woman’s infertility. In 1/3 of the cases the male partner is the one
with fertility issues.
The remaining 1/3 is a mixed bag of women’s, men’s and unknown
factors. Checking for the reasons of infertility can be a long tedious
process. Usually tests of fertility are first conducted using blood
work and in the man, semen testing. The doctors will look at overall
health, hormonal levels in both woman and man, and any evidence of
infection. From there, the woman will undergo a complete physical.
Looking at the issues of irregular periods or none at all, very
painful periods, pelvic inflammatory disease and having more than one
miscarriage are all necessary in the detective work to find the reason
for a woman’s infertility.
In most cases of the woman’s infertility, the major cause is lack of
ovulation. The fallopian tubes have not released an egg to be
fertilized. This can be caused by a fallopian tube blocked by infection
or inflammation. The cause could also be a fallopian tube blocked by
scar tissue from an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs inside
the fallopian tube which requires surgical intervention).
The fallopian tube could become blocked if the woman suffers from
endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the womb
migrates outside the uterus). There is a home ovulation kit available
at most drug stores that can provide the answer to whether ovulation is
taking place.
Other common reasons for a women’s infertility are age (about 20% of
the women in the US wait until after age 35 to attempt to conceive),
being over or underweight, stress, alcohol, sexually transmitted
diseases and tobacco smoking. For every year over age 30, a woman’s
chances of becoming pregnant, and carrying a child to term decrease
rapidly.
While looking at all the possible causes, a complete diet history is
collected to be sure the woman is eating correctly. Research has found
that eating just 4 grams of trans fats a day can increase chances of
becoming infertile by 70 to 100 percent. This is the amount of trans
fats in a single donut. The trans fats prevent ovulation. Instead of
the label reading trans fats, it may say ‘hydrogenated or partially
hydrogenated’ oils. That is the same thing.
Other reasons for infertility can be fibroid tumors in the uterus.
While benign, they can create a block to the progress of the egg to
sperm. Also, the uterus may be tipped toward the back, like a limp
balloon, closing off entry to the sperm. The sperm may not be strong
enough to enter the egg itself. The number of sperm may be reduced due
to various health problems. The mucus quality in the vagina may impede
the sperm.
There are many reasons for lack of conception however a large number
can be successfully treated through various medicines. Sometimes it is
necessary to undergo surgery before conception is possible, as in the
case of a blocked fallopian tube.
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Laugh Your Way To A Lighter Body - A Quick Weight Loss Therapy
Laughter is the best medicine. We’ve heard this expression so many
times. Now, we do know for sure the truth underlying this adage, for
science has proved it beyond any further doubt. Laughter can destress
and heal like nothing else can. When researchers monitored the human
physiology under the effects of laughter, it became apparent that it
also exercised the body albeit in a mild, but in a totally positive
manner. Thus, leading to a healthy, quick and easy weight loss.
The effects of laughter are somewhat similar to that of exercise.
Our physiology changes when we laugh. We stretch our facial and upper
body muscles. Our pulse rate quickens and our blood pressure increases,
causing an increased supply of oxygen to our tissues. This is very
similar to the effects caused by a mild workout.
This mild workout gained through laughter is the principle on which
laughter clubs are founded. Old people the world over benefit from
these clubs which combine low-impact stretching and waving of the arms
with laughter to boost the heart rate. The medical effects in terms of
weight loss are so positive that it would be a good thing for all
people young and old to incorporate a few minutes of this therapy into
a workday.
Science has recorded these positive benefits from laughter on the human physiology:
* Laughter releases Endorphins or “feel good” hormones into the blood stream.
* Laughter reduces stress. Endorphins are responsible for reducing
stress levels. As stress is one of the principle causes of excess
weight, increased endorphin levels in the blood can help reduce excess
weight, or at least prevent you from packing on a few more kilos.
* Laughter can give you a mild work out.
* Am increased metabolism manages weight more efficiently.
* Improvement in breathing causes the body tissues to be oxygenated more efficiently.
* Enhanced blood circulation regulates blood sugar.
* Most importantly, laughter acts as a powerful anti-oxidant which boosts the immune function of the body.
All these benefits can be yours through laughter therapy, without
having to spend a single penny. It would also make the world a better
place to live in. However, a word of caution: don’t be too hasty to
dump the treadmill yet, for the maximum weight that you could loose
through laughter therapy would be about 2 kilos in a whole year.
10-15 minutes of laughter therapy in a day can cause you to burn 50
calories, which is approximately the same calorie count contained in a
piece of candy. So use this therapy in combination with other forms of
exercise; it will make the exercising more fun and you will feel better
about yourself and a healthy weight loss which is the ultimate purpose
of all such activity anyway.
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How to Prevent Hair Loss - Things You Must Know
Hair loss is normal process of the body. Unfortunately, this process
can sometimes become abnormal and lead to psychological and
pathological maladies. The experts agree - natural hair care is one of
the best methods to avoid abnormal hair loss.
While hair loss is common among both males and females, the reasons
behind it tend to differ. In order to effectively prevent the loss of
hair, you must first understand the natural life cycle of a hair.
Life Cycle of a Hair
Hair growth can be divided into three stages:
Anagen
Catagen
Telogen
The anagen stage is known as the “growing stage.” It can last
anywhere from 2 to 6 years. Regular intake of nutrients throughout this
stage will result in strong, healthy hair. The second stage, or the
catagen stage, is stage of partial degeneration. It lasts a mere 10 to
14 days. The final stage, known as the telogen stage, is referred to as
the “resting phase” and results in the shedding of hair. An increase in
age or the presence of a hair loss disorder prolongs this final resting
phase.
Preventive Hair Care
Taking preventive action is the best solutions for curing as well as avoiding a hair loss fiasco. Different techniques include:
Natural food supplements
A balanced diet with sufficient fruits and vegetables
Natural herbs
Natural food supplements provide sufficient resources for beautiful,
vibrant hair by creating a healthy environment for hair follicles.
These natural, chemical-free products keep hair healthy and strong.
Natural and organic food items can provide all the necessary
vitamins and minerals needed for a balanced hair growth cycle. Research
has shown that the phytochemicals found in organic food are an
excellent source of antioxidants. These chemicals are more beneficial
to hair than Vitamins A, C, and E! Natural fruits and vegetables are
rich in these phytochemicals.
Many herbs and plants possess excellent hair care qualities as well.
Certain herbs have proven to provide effective relief for women during
different phases of their life. Women suffer significant hormonal
imbalances during menopause, which can result in hair loss. Herbs found
in natural health supplements have proved quite effective.
Different hair care oils and products made from herbs have been used for centuries by people all over the world.
All in all, nutrition plays the most significant role in any natural
hair care regiment. A proper supply of nutrients results in healthy,
luscious hair - it’s as simple as that! A diet consisting of natural
vitamins, proteins, and minerals will provide sufficient nutrients to
the follicles for healthy hair growth.
While organic foods and herbs serve as the best protection against
hair loss, medication is recommended if you are experiencing an
abnormal, perpetual degree of hair loss.
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The Most Effective Mesothelioma Medications Available
Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments in cancer,
Mesothelioma is not an exception. Mesothelioma is a cancer that will
affect three areas of your life, it will affect your movement, your
sense of reality and your rest. These are the most crucial issues in
human development. The best treatment for mesothelioma, which has no
cure, is to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
Most medication available though are aimed at inhibiting the growth
of cancer cells, they also inhibit in part some of the good cells. This
causes weakness and fatigue. Still there are some of the best
medications in the market that will help ease a lot of pain and
discomfort. Here are some of the most effective medications in the
market.
VEGLIN®
Vegin is a new experimental drug manufactured by VasGene
Therapeutics, Inc. Veglin inhibits VEGF proteins, halting the formation
of blood vessels and limiting the ability of tumors to grow and spread.
Veglin had positive findings from its phase I clinical trial of VEGF-AS
(Veglin). The results demonstrate that the anti-angiogenesis drug
lowers levels of a key protein required to grow tumors and has shown to
be safe in patients with a wide variety of cancers. Veglin has shown in
some instances, the ability to periodically stabilize or reduce tumors
in early human clinical trials.
ALIMTA® (pemetrexed disodium)
ALIMTA® was the first U.S. mesothelioma drug approved by the FDA on
February 4, 2004, and is now available for people with malignant
pleural mesothelioma. Alimta manufactured by Eli Lilly, is a
chemotherapy drug that interferes with three folic acid related enzymes
that work feed the cancer cell, the process that allows mesothelioma
cells to spread.
Although it cannot cure mesothelioma, Alimta® has prolonged life and
reduced pain for some mesothelioma patients where surgery is not an
option.
In the clinical trials, the most common side effect from Alimta was
a decrease in infection fighting white blood cells. Under the expanded
access program, Alimta will be given free of charge to patients who
meet medical eligibility requirements.
L-NDDP® (aroplatin)
L-NDDP is used as a Therapeutic Option. The creamy platinum compound
administered intrapleurally and cleared very slowly from the pleural
cavity. Its lipophilicity and creamy nature enhances its local tumor
penetration. L-NDDP is intended to exceed the usefulness of other
platinum drugs like Cisplatin that are limited by toxicity and drug
resistance. Patients are eligible if they have had prior surgery,
radiation, and/or chemotherapy. All patients must have a free-flowing
pleural effusion.
CISPLATIN®
Cisplatin is a platinum-containing compound drug used to treat
various types of cancers including mesothelioma. It is in a class of
drugs known as platinum-containing compounds that are designed to slow
or stop the growth of cancer cells. In its initial form it is a white
powder which, when prepared for use, becomes a clear, colorless liquid.
It is passed into the body intravenously. Cisplatin is an effective
mesothelioma treatment, especially when combined with Alimta, but care
must be taken to monitor and control side effects. Cisplatin can be
toxic to humans if levels get too high.
ONCONASE®
Onconase is an early first line anti-cancer drug that has had life
prolonging results for malignant mesothelioma patients. Onconase is
made from the enzymes of purified leopard frog eggs. Studies showed
that some malignant mesothelioma patients responded well to Onconase
treatment. Mesothelioma patients treated with Onconase had increased
survival times and experienced a reduction in tumor size or
stabilization of malignant mesothelioma tumor growth. It has also been
noted that Onconase resulted in lower toxicity levels and fewer side
effects than patients treated with the established chemotherapy drug
doxorubicin.
GEMCITABINE®
Gemcitabine is a newer chemotherapy drug. It is used most commonly
to treat cancer of the pancreatic cancer and lung cancer (including
mesothelioma). Gemcitabine is a clear liquid administered by an
infusion that usually takes no longer than half an hour. It is also
administered through a central line into a vein near the collarbone.
Also known by its brand name Gemzar
Gemcitabine was also shown effective in treating mesothelioma in
studies where the drug was combined with cisplatin in patients who did
not undergo surgery. It is currently in clinical trials with many
mesothelioma patients in combination with Cisplatin, Alimta and
Epirubicin.
ENDOSTATIN®
Endostatin is an anti-tumor drug that attacks a process called
angiogenesis (sometimes also called an Angiogenic Inhibitor). This
mesothelioma treatment focuses on depriving tumors and cancer cells the
nutrients needed to grow by not allowing adequate blood supply to feed
the tumor. Researchers believe that Endostatin will be most effective
treating fast growing cancers with tumors that rely on a larger number
of blood vessels such as mesothelioma.
INTRAPLEURAL INTERFERON GAMMA®
The anti-cancer drug, Interferon Gamma is directly administered into
the affected area in early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Intrapleural injections have shown some efficacy in reducing tumor
growth in early stages of diffuse malignant mesothelioma (DMM).
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Early Detection Of Any Disease Is The Key So What Are The First Symptoms Of Lung Cancer?
By: Jon Butt Much research work has been dedicated to find out the first symptoms of lung cancer. Cancer is that painful disease that needs no introduction and cancer of the lung is one of its most common forms. It is said that early detection of cancer is the key to its prevention.
Extensive research works conducted at Mesothelioma research clinics have uncovered some symptoms of lung cancer closely linked with the disease.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
People addicted to tobacco and those who are constantly exposed to the ill effects of asbestos are more susceptible to lung cancer. Ignorance about the symptoms of lung cancer may lead to a full-fledged blown up case.
Be on alert if you are having cough most of the time. This is one of the first symptoms. A related symptom may be a change in the nature of coughing. Other symptoms may be- being short of breath and coughing up bloodstained sputum. Mesothelioma research has established that aches while breathing, loss of appetite, fatigue and loss of weight can also be the first symptoms of the cancer of the lung.
These are considered to be the primary symptoms of lung cancer. There are secondary symptoms too.
Sudden development of a hoarse voice is one of the secondary lung cancer symptoms. Difficulty in swallowing is considered as another symptom of cancer of the lung.
Swelling of the face due to blockage of main blood vessel and swelling of neck due to enlarged lymph nodes may be other symptoms as well.
Treat pain in the right rib region and shortness of breath due to accumulation of fluid as warning signals of cancer of the lung. When you notice any of them, visit your physician for a thorough check-up.
Let’s combat the deadly lung cancer together.
About the author: Jon Butt publishes www.the-mesothelioma-guide.comWith the web being packed with mis-information www.the-mesothelioma-guide.comis a leading free resource of Mesothelioma support, advice and legal help along with alternative remedies, natural supplements and more. Helping both you and your loved ones |
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