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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Cancer: The facts

One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our life.

The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time.

Excluding certain skin cancers, there were more than 270,000 new cases of the disease in 2001 - and the rate is increasing by about 1% a year.

Some cancer, such as breast, are becoming more common, while new cases of lung cancer fall away due to the drop in the number of smokers.

However, while the overall number of new cancers is not falling, the good news is that successful treatment rates for many of the most common types are improving rapidly.

BBC News Online has produced, in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, a guide to some of the most common forms of cancer and the treatments used to tackle them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3444635.stm

Migraines 'raise pregnancy risk'


stroke during pregnancy was very rare.

She said: "However, this study shows that some expectant mothers with migraines are at risk of stroke.
"It is important that pregnantMigraines substantially raise the risk of a stroke during pregnancy, a US study suggests.

However, the British Medical Journal study stressed the overall risk remained low.
It also linked the headaches to a raised risk of heart disease, blood clots and high blood pressure.
The researchers suspect migraine puts extra stress on the body when it is already struggling with increased blood volume and heart rate.

Our study should not discourage women with migraine from considering getting pregnant
Researcher Professor Cheryl BushnellWake Forest University. They also suggest it may be possible that migraine itself is a sign that the cardiovascular system is not working as well as it should be.

Previous research has shown the cells that form the inner wall of blood vessels, called endothelial cells, may not function as well in people with migraine.

Migraine headache occurs in up to 26% of women of childbearing age and around one third of women aged between 35 and 39. women talk to their GP or health professional if they experience migraines."

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Menopause timing affects women's Parkinson's risk

Women who count more years between their first period and menopause have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, new research indicates.

The findings, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st annual meeting in Seattle in April, suggest that longer exposure to the body's own hormones may help protect brain cells affected by Parkinson's disease, says study author Rachel Saunders-Pullman, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Parkinson's is a nervous system disorder that occurs when special brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain, die or become impaired. It leads to trembling and movement problems.

In the study, the researchers analyzed the medical records of 74,000 women who experienced natural menopause and about 7,800 women who went through surgical menopause. Among women with natural menopause, those who had a fertile lifespan of more than 39 years had about a 25-percent lower risk of developing Parkinson's than women with a fertile lifespan of less than 33 years.

Women who had menopause from surgery had almost twice the risk of developing the disease if they had previously taken hormone therapy and stopped than if they had never taken hormone therapy. Taking hormones did not have any effect on natural menopause women.
Author Saunders-Pullman says more research is required to understand why women with four or more pregnancies are at increased risk.

"This study does not support a role for treatment with hormone therapy in preventing Parkinson's, but there are still many unanswered questions," she says.


--By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY

Optimists live longer than pessimists


Is this glass half full or half empty?


If you said half full, congratulations. A new study suggests you'll live healthier and longer than your pessimistic peers. And if you're trusting of other people as well as an optimist, well, you'd better plan on having a lot of money stashed away in your retirement account.

I don't know about you, but I'm highly skeptical of the scientists who conducted this study. Besides, what's so great about outliving all of your friends? Sheesh.


But seriously, folks, the new study analyzed data from nearly 100,000 postmenopausal participants (say that three times fast) in the
Women's Health Initiative, or WHI. The WHI is best known for its clinical trials of postmenopausal hormone therapy, whose findings caused women to abandon the drugs in droves.


In the new analysis, being presented this week at the
American Psychosomatic Society's annual meeting in Chicago, the researchers found that optimists--women who expected that good things, not bad, would happen--were 30% less likely to die of heart disease during the course of the study than pessimists. And trusting women were 23% less likely to die of cancer than their "cynically hostile"--or highly mistrustful--counterparts.

So would a magic happy pill make us all live longer? In a press release,
Hilary Tindle, a University of Pittsburgh internist who led the study, cautions that it doesn't prove pessimism kills. Tindle says more research is needed to determine whether treatments to increase optimism or decrease cynical hostility would lead to better health.

ASPARAGUS FOR CANCER



Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, `Asparagus for cancer ' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979.



I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: 'I am a biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years




Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favourable case histories.




Here are a few examples:


Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.


Case No. 2, A successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.



Case No. 3, A man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at his regular business routine.


Case No. 4, A woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by asking specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.



I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of Materia Medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.



We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy. For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh.
I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.
* * PROCEDURE:


1) Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator.


2) Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.



Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.


As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent'. Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold.



For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink...


As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and inacting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance.




The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.. It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. Please spread the news... ...the most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one has received even to the most undeserved person *

Thursday, March 5, 2009

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Saturday, February 28, 2009

Acne Facts

ACNE FACTS

Do you eat potato chips or chocolate when you feel stress and then break out? It may be the stress causing you to break out — not the food.
Stress increases the inflammation that leads to acne.Today, virtually every case of acne can be resolved
Acne develops when one or more of the following occurs: excess sebum production, rapid production of P. acnes, skin cells shed too quickly and/or release of inflammatory substances.

 For treatment to work it must interfere with what is causing the acne. Today’s acne treatments do one or more of the following:
• Decrease sebum production
 • Reduce P. acnes (bacteria)
• Normalize skin shedding
• Eliminate inflammation

Tanning can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Tanning should not be used to clear acne
.Oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, are often prescribed for acne.
Taking antibiotics as directed will help your acne clear and may reduce the risk of bacterial resistance - a condition that makes the antibiotic ineffective.
Research shows that acne is not caused by certain foods.
Eating chocolate, fries, and pizza does not cause acne.
 However, some say that eating certain foods makes their acne worse.
 If you notice that your acne worsens after you eat certain foods, then stop eating those foods and see what happens.Compliance is the key to getting results.
Be sure to follow your dermatologist's directions and use medications as prescribed.
Acne does not clear overnight.
 On average, 6 to 8 weeks are needed to see initial results.
 Don't give up on a therapy before then
.Once acne significantly improves or clears, continued treatment is needed to keep acne from re-appearing
.Moisturizers can play a key role in acne treatment.
If your dermatologist recommends a moisturizer, choose one labeled “noncomedogenic.” Moisturizers used during the day also should contain sunscreen.
Almost everyone has a pimple or two sometime in their life.
Research shows even mild acne can pack an emotional punch.
Vigorous washing and scrubbing can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
Dermatologists recommend gently washing the affected areas twice a day with mild soap and warm water.

TIPS FOR DAD TO BE

When I asked my husband about an article for dads, I wanted to know what a dad might like to read. His suggestion was to give some tips for dads to make mom more comfortable. I've included some of his tips and some others, but I did have to remind him to practice what he preaches! So here are some ideas for dads to help mom feel more comfortable in pregnancy:
Rub her feet. Doing a hand or foot massage can help relieve a lot of tension and give you some quiet time to talk. I prefer using a mint lotion on my feet to help invigorate myself. Ask her what he preference is for lotion.
Clean the bathroom. This might sound like something that is very low priority but who wants to throw up in a dirty toilet? This is one of the best things my husband does for me!
Show interest. Yes, you're discussing baby names for the umpteenth time, but it's important to her and ultimately you. Go to appointments when you can, if you have trouble getting away be sure to make it to the big ones like the first heartbeat and the ultrasounds.
Take her out to dinner. Don't forget date night! Sometimes it seems like your fetus has taken over your life months before it gets here. Remember to spend time as a couple.



Take childbirth classes. Don't worry about turning green or looking silly. These classes will help you tremendously once she's in labor. A good class should prepare you for anything along the way. It also gives you a chance to ask questions.


Fill the gas tank. Sounds silly, but the fumes can make her feel ill and aren't good for her or your baby. This small act of kindness will go along way.
Read a book. It doesn't have to be a high tech serious book, but showing her you have interests on your own about the pregnancy can ease her fears. Not to mention reading can give you an edge up and provide you with some talking points for future conversations. There are also many websites designed for dads.

Let her nap! If mom  is exhausted an hour nap  Then she comes home can make a world of difference, as could sleeping in on the weekend. You might even take it one step further and provide breakfast in bed.
Feel the baby. You've heard it more than once, "Just put your hand right here…" All of sudden she reports that the baby has stopped moving now. Try resting your hand on her belly during TV time or while you're laying in bed. (Ask first!) Chances are the longer you leave it there the more likely you are to be rewarded with the thumps and flutters she so longs for you to feel.

Keep things running smoothly. This can a variety of things from helping to pay the bills, without complaining, to arranging childcare for an afternoon off. Allow her some alone time where she can relax and do what she wants, shop, read, nap, swim, etc. By helping to ensure small things don't fall by the wayside you will make the household a happier one.

My personal recommendation for a good book for the men to read would be The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears.

Friday, February 27, 2009

acne

Microdermabrasion Acne Treatment

Microdermabrasion treatments work by polishing away impurities and dead skin cells. This progressive skin re-surfacing technique can be used to target wrinkles, lines, superficial scarring, stretch marks, acne, and sun damage.
Microdermabrasion is much less harsh than the dermabrasion technique that it replaces. Dermabrasion involves scraping off the outer skin layer with an abrasive, metal attachment. While this is highly effective in treating severe scarring, it also requires anaesthesia to counteract the pain and a relatively lengthy recovery time.
Microdermabrasion is a safe and equally effective alternative to many surgical and laser skin-enhancing procedures. Microdermabrasion activates circulation, deeply exfoliates the skin's surface, and effectively cleans the pores of trapped oil deposits and other contaminants while diminishing acne scars. The removal of the oil and dead skin cells makes it much less likely for the acne to reoccur.
Microdermabrasion peels avoid the use of harsh chemicals and utilize the power of debris leeching micro-crystals. Microdermabrasion peels are not painful and can be performed as a hospital outpatient, at a health spa, or even at home. Skin treatment regimens usually consist of a series of 4 - 6 peels spaced at one to two week intervals followed by maintenance peels every six weeks or as necessary.
Microdermabrasion acne treatments involve a mechanical exfoliating effect together with mild and soothing cleansers, which combine to clear the skin of debris without aggravating sensitive skin. These Microdermabrasion acne treatments can be used daily to clear the skin of impurities, leaving it refreshed and revitalised, allowing acne to heal and preventing new outbreaks from occurring.
Microdermabrasion is much less harsh than chemical peels. The skin is gently polished and renewed with the aid of micro-crystals which are circulated onto the skin with a hand-held cleaning device that extracts debris, unclogs pores and leaves a fresh skin surface that is supple and free of dead skin cells and other contaminants. It also stimulates blood flow and rejuvenation of skin cells through its therapeutic tissue massage. The amazing thing about micro-crystal creams is how effectively they polish the skin while being so gentle and non-damaging.
Microdermabrasion equipment ranges from expensive machines used in medical surgeries and salons to inexpensive do-it-yourself packages that can be used safely in your own home. This acne treatment is certainly much more convenient than surgical procedures, laser therapy and harsh chemical treatments, and presents far fewer risks.
Major distributors of home Microdermabrasion kits are Neutrogena, Mary Kay and Loreal.
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Systems are designed for professional level results at home. They offer a 3-component treatment package that includes a 2-speed System Applicator, Soft Foam Sponge Head and a Micro-Oxide Crystalline Cream. The method is simple:
• Ensure that your face is clean and pat-dried
• Dab a small amount of cream onto the applicator's sponge head
• Apply to your target acne areas
• Massage the skin's surface for 1 - 2 minutes
• Rinse the crystal residue with warm water
• Marvel at the new layer of velvety, healthy skin that emerges.

Mary Kay's TimeWise Microdermabrasion set is a two-step process that provides the exfoliating, micro-crystal Refine Cream and a Replenishing Serum.
• No re-surfacing tool is required just your finger tips!
• Massage your skin in a circular motion with the Refine Cream,
• Cleanse with warm water and pat dry
• Apply the vitamin and antioxidant rich Replenish Serum
• Your new skin is now protected and nurtured

Loreal Microdermabrasion consists of the Gentle Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator and the Post- Treatment SPF 15 Sunscreen Moisturizer. This system is simple, just;
• Massage the exfoliating micro-crystal cream into target areas
• Rinse and pat dry
• Hydrate the fresh skin surface with the Post-Treatment Moisturizer.
• Notice the brighter, fresher skin tone
• Enables flawless makeup application.

ALSO SEE
American Academy of Dermatology. New Oral Acne Medications Poised to Benefit Patients. News release issued August 4, 2007. Last accessed August 30, 2007 at
www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/New_Oral_Acne_Medications_Poised_to_Benefit_Patien/.
American Academy of Dermatology. Millions of Women Facing Adult Acne. News release issued July 30, 2004. Last accessed August 30, 2007 at
www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/Millions_of_Women_Facing_Adult_Acne/.
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/