Archive for December, 2011

Colon Cancer Treatment

Treatment Options

Colon and colorectal cancer treatment options depend on a number of factors. These include the anatomical location, the stage of the colon cancer and the patient’s overall and general health.

The accepted standard treatment options for colon and rectal cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Biological therapy is an additional colon cancer treatment option, and usually used in conjunction with other treatments. Surgery is sometimes combined with chemo and radiation therapy.

Colon Surgery

The most common treatment for colon cancer and the primary treatment for most patients is colon surgery. Once the cancer is located, surgery is performed to remove that section of the colon. The remaining sections are then reattached. In the case of rectal cancer the surgical resection may follow chemotherapy and irradiation treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, sometimes called chemo, is used to treat cancer using specific chemical agents or drugs that are selectively destructive to malignant cells.

Chemotherapy is usually started about a month after colon surgery.
For patients with colon it can be used alone. It is often used in combination with radiation therapy for rectal cancer patients. Chemotherapy is often recommended for stage 2 colon, and usually for stage 3 and stage 4 colon cancer.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, often referred to as radiotherapy, is treatment of disease using x-rays or radioactive substances.

The radiotherapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells that remain after surgery or shrink large tumors before an operation, thus enabling easier removal. The aim is to destroy or cause damage to the tumor causing only minimal harm to the healthy surrounding tissues.

Biological Therapy

Biotherapy, also referred to as immunotherapy, uses the body’s immune system to find and destroy cancer cells in the body.

Biological therapy has contributed to the colon cancer treatment and outcomes have improved with the use of biological agents. These therapies can be used to repair, stimulate and enhance the anticancer functions in the natural immune system. Biotherapy, an optional treatment, can be used after surgery and in combination with other cancer treatments.

DISCLAIMER

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT OFFICIAL MEDICAL INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT REPLACE CONSULTATION WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR ON COLON CANCER TREATMENT.

Looking at dieting and fast weight loss: How sensible are fast diets

Beware Aesthetic Weightloss

How many of you out threre have noticed the sudden surge in Weightloss Spas?

As a Nutrition Specialist I am afraid for anyone that gets sucked into the hype of Aesthetic Weightloss. Here we are again with all these new fangled weightloss gimmicks. So the Snake Oil Salesman is still alive and well and talking up all kinds of potions, lotions, creams and pills. PEOPLE! There is no magic pill, or potion or lotion.

Five or Six small balanced meals, and exercise are the only way!

I worked breifly in one of these clinics and I was frightened for the patrons coming in there. The popular FDA approved weightloss pill Phentermine, is primarily used as an appetite suppressant. Chemically it is an Amphetamine. It is fine for someone who is obese, if they have no other health problems (meaning heart disease, hyper or hypo thyroid, diabetes, etc.). Phentermine, was part of the diet cocktail that made up Fen-Phen a few years back. The other two drugs were fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine and were removed from the market. With a doctor’s supervision Phntermine will help an obese person get down to a weight that then can be managed by behaviour modification, forming healthier eating habits and exercise. It is unsafe and habit forming for those who are looking for cosmetic weightloss. I have seen too many young girls with a little bit of weight gain coming in and flat out asking for Phentermine; as a result of out constant Media bombarding us with ads and images that only deal with the Aestehtic.

These clincis are popping up at an alarming rate and being run by someone who tried Phentermine once and decided it was a good way to make money.

Put yourself in the Proper Mind-set. Consult a Nutitionist, a Medical Doctor, Meditate. Research the doctor, the clinic, the fitness trainer make sure they are all certfied and not certifiable.

Eat healthy, exercise and Always make your Life a Banquet of Joy!

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How to Choose The Right Treadmill To Get The Results You Want

One of the most popular pieces of workout equipment available is the exercise treadmill, and with good reason. These work-horses can be used by people of virtually every fitness level depending upon whether the user walks, jogs, runs or designs a custom exercise program. The beauty of a treadmill workout is that the exercises are so easy to vary simply by slowing down or speeding up the treadmill’s setting. Many people also invest in an exercise treadmill as an alternative to running outdoors on days when the weather is inclement, thereby getting rid of the tired excuse of “the weather was too bad.”

Once you’ve decided to purchase a home treadmill for your daily workouts, you shouldn’t rush right out and buy the first good-looking piece of exercise equipment you see. This can not only hurt your pocketbook, it can hurt you. Finding the best treadmill for your workout regimen requires some research and plenty of comparisons so that you don’t get burned. Check out sites that have treadmill reviews and compare features before buying. Some of the best sources of treadmill ratings can be found at sites run by trainers or gym owners.

There are four basic questions you should ask yourself when you shop for an exercise treadmill:

• What are my specific exercise needs (what do I need/not need)?

• How good are the parts and construction of this treadmill?

• What price range can I afford?

• How good is the warranty on this treadmill?

Understanding your exercise needs is as simple as knowing what you really expect to be doing once you get your exercise treadmill home. Be honest – not everyone works out by running a mile every day, and many of us shouldn’t! It will be primarily used to walk a few miles at a leisurely pace. If you weight 130 pounds, your needs will be different than a 275 pound man who will be running at top speed or creating a varied workout each day. Do you need a console that provides a dozen custom exercise programs, or simply a heart rate monitor?

Not all parts are the same

Next, look at the treadmill’s parts. Key features you should look for in treadmill reviews include:

The Motor – A motor of at least 1.5 horsepower is essential. The higher the horsepower, the cooler the Read the rest of this entry »

Natural Health – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most common of all the mental disorders and affects more than 2 percent of the population. It is characterized by obsessive compulsions and unusually repetitive behaviors that people perform in an attempt to reduce unwanted thoughts and anxiety.

These OCD obsessions are persistent and cause marked distress making it difficult to pursue everyday life by interfering with school, job, and daily functions
It will not help to tell a person with Obsessive-compulsive disorder to
relax and not worry so much. The symptoms are an indication of a serious Anxiety disorder that is caused by a biological physiological problem that they can not just think away.
Typically Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms first appear in adolescence, but research shows some children develop the disorder as early as the preschool years.

Many OCD sufferers try to conceal their disorder from friends, and the people at school and work.

Some of the more common compulsions and obsessions are:
* Excessive fear that harm will come to themselves, friends, or loved ones.
* Excessive need to do things perfectly.
* Repeating the same actions numerous times such as checking of door
locks, lights, windows, faucets, washing hands, etc.

If Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is suspected and interferes with daily life, the person should seek a psychiatric assessment.

There is no shortage of prescription medications for the various forms of anxiety disorders. The fear of the side effects of traditional medicine is driving more and more people toward the use of natural products to remedy health problems and achieving favorable results, with little or no side effects.

I recommend that you take a look at aa1info.com for the opportunity to read additional information on OCD, and to be pointed to proven natural health products that will aid to remedy this anxiety disorder.

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Lung Cancer – Symptoms & Treatments

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out of control cell growth. Lung cancer occurs when this uncontrolled cell growth begins in one or both lungs. The lungs are two large spongy organs located inside the chest cavity. Air is breathed into the trachea and moves down two tubes called bronchi, each going to a lung. Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 who have smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.

Over 1,400 Victorians are diagnosed with every year. Only about 2% of those diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to other areas of the body are alive five years after the diagnosis, although the survival rates are diagnosed at a very early stage are higher with approximately 49% surviving for five years or longer.

There are different types of lung cancer, depending on which cells are affected. The two main types are:

1. Small cell carcinom
Around 15 per cent are small cell carcinomas. This type of cancer spreads early and shows few early symptoms.

2. Non-small cell carcinoma
These cancers affect the cells that line the main bronchi.

Some lung tumors are metastatic from cancers elsewhere in the body. The lungs are a common site for metastasis. Since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early in its course, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body.

Symptoms are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. Lung cancer symptoms may take years before appearing, usually after the disease is in an advanced stage.

Below is the following symptoms of lung cancer include:

1. Pain in the chest shoulder or back from coughing

2. A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time

3. Breathlessness and swallowing

4. Recurring pneumonia or chest infections

5. Wheezing or hoarseness may signal blockage

6. Unexplained weight loss

Lung cancer is categorized into stages according to its spread. This helps the doctors to decide on appropriate treatments. The treatments also depend on the type of cancer, age, health status and additional personal characteristics. As there is usually no single treatment for cancer, patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. More than one type of therapy may be prescribed.

Although the diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If the biopsy confirms lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is non-small cell or small cell.

Small cell lung cancer has two stages which is:

1. In the limited stage, the tumor exists in one lung and in nearby lymph nodes.

2. In the extensive stage, the tumor has infected the other lung as well as other organs in the body.

For non-small cell lung cancer, these stages are labeled from I to IV. The lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less:

1. Stage I is when the tumor is found only in one lung and in no lymph nodes.

2. Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.

3. Stage III is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall and diaphragm on the same side as the infected lung.

4. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.

5. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.

As with most cancers, the results are best if the cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages. However, some lung cancers aren’t diagnosed until they are quite advanced. Treatment may then be limited to easing the symptoms. Treatment decisions depend on whether SCLC or NSCLC. Treatment options include:

1. Chemotherapy is an anti cancer drugs are given to stop cancer cells from multiplying. This treatment is most effective for small cell carcinoma.

2. Surgery to remove the affected part of the lung or an entire lung. This offers the best chance of cure if the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs.

3. Radiotherapy use of x-rays to target and kill cancer cells. It may be used against some early stage lung cancers and to stop cancer in the lymph nodes from spreading further.

4. Targeted therapy is use of small molecules, often in tablet form that may be used after chemotherapy.

5. Clinical trials is a participation in a clinical trial that investigates the safety and effectiveness of novel drugs may be offered.

Cancers that are closely linked to certain behaviors are the easiest to prevent. If you are a current tobacco user, quitting can still greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. The most important preventive measure you can take is to quit smoking. Many products such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine inhalers have been successfully used to help people trying to quit smoking.

There are common causes of lung cancer:

1. A person who smokes more than one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk 20-25 times greater than someone who has never smoked.

2. Cigar and pipe smoking increases the risk of lung cancer but not as much as smoking cigarettes.

3. Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers.

4. Radon gas is a natural chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. With an estimated 12% deaths attributable to radon gas.

5. Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals

Screening techniques are designed to find cancer at the earliest stage so that the most treatment options are available. This cancer are detected in the late stages of the disease after they have spread and are harder to treat. Possible lung cancer screening tests include analysis of sputum cells, fiberoptic examination of bronchial passages and low-dose spiral CT scans.

Cancer and cancer treatments can make a person feel too tired to exercise. However, studies show that, physical activity can boost the energy levels of a person who has cancer.

Regular exercise improves functioning of the immune system and may increase survival rates in some cases. Aim for five to 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week. But do not exercise without your doctor’s knowledge and support because inappropriate exercise may be harmful.

Get more information about cancer here, Treatments For Cancer

What to look for in a fitness machine

How many people do you know who own very expensive clothes hangers? I am of course, talking about home exercise equipment. Growing up, my best friend and I both had mothers who purchased cardio exercise equipment, probably with the intent of losing a few pounds, only to use these five hundred dollar fitness machines for the first week, and then never again.

The problem for our mothers was this: It wasn’t fun. The first thing you should look for in any exercise machine is enjoyability. If you are not going to use it, then don’t buy it. It’s that simple. The most common piece of aerobic exercise equipment is the treadmill. Let’s face it, walking and running indoors is boring. This doesn’t mean you can’t buy a treadmill. Think about other things you could do while your feet navigate the conveyor belt. With any exercise machine, you will want to make sure it is suited for your exercise lifestyle. If you like to read, and are capable of reading while walking, then make sure the fitness machine will allow you to read while you work out. If you prefer to watch TV while working up a sweat, then be sure to find a machine that is not overly loud.

A second aspect to consider when shopping for exercise equipment, is challenge. An exercise machine that is a good match for you will have adjustable challenge levels, which are appropriate for your fitness level. A machine that is too challenging from the get-go will rarely be used, as it will be frustrating to do so. One that never increases the challenge enough may be used a fair amount, but will not push you on the days when you feel like testing your ability. Treadmills have speed variation, which is a good start for challenge adjustment. Some have incline options. This may be something for you to consider when buying. Elliptical machines, and stationary bikes have adjustable friction levels (thought they may be called something else) which can challenge the fittest human, or be easy enough for a first timer. Stair climbers, in my opinion, are not for the weak at heart, literally and figuratively. These do have adjustable difficulty, however, in my experience, even the lowest level is a challenge for Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamins – Nutrition Supplements

Vitamins and nutrition supplements will take your entire life to new heights! Bold statement? Believe me, if you choose the right kind of vitamin supplements and provide yourself with ample hydration to assist your newfound nutrition, no bold statement has been uttered whatsoever. In fact, “new heights” is quite an understatement!

High-quality, all-natural, whole-food vitamins and nutrition supplements will absolutely revolutionize the way you think, feel, and behave:

Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Kiss them goodbye! Are you overweight? Better start shopping for some smaller clothes! Are you tired? Fatigued? Lethargic? Put on your dancing shoes! Do you have difficulty focusing on or remembering things? Get ready to wake up and amaze! Are your skin, hair, and/or nails in ill-repair? Prepare to get noticed! Do you live in fear of cancer, heart disease, stroke, or diabetes? It’s time to rest easy! Do you have chronic aches, pains, or stiffness? Aaaah, sweet relief!

Really? Can something as simple as vitamin & mineral supplements provide so many miraculous results in a person’s life? Short answer: yes. Long answer: You bet your life they can!

Every function in the human body requires vitamins, minerals, and other critical nutrients to occur. The trillions of cells in your body all have unique jobs throughout your mind and body. From the beating of your heart to the production of serotonin in your brain. From the elimination of harmful toxins to the feelings of love you have for your son or daughter. Your cells use nutrients as tools to make these things happen.

When your body is fully nourished, it is fully optimized to carry out all of these, along with thousands of other functions that make your health and life the way they should be.

Yes, it’s miraculous. And yes, it’s true!

The problem is that most of us do not acquire adequate nutrition through our diets. Not even close, really. And the supplements most of us choose to take are completely useless, if not downright harmful! We’ve been misguided into believing that the synthetic “vitamins” we buy over the counter at our corner grocery or drug store are good for us.

The simple truth is that these are not really vitamins, at all. They’re actually “vitamin simulations” created in a lab using harmful chemicals. They are meant to mimmick the structure of natural vitamins, but are still generally met with rejection when met by our cells. In short, our bodies are too smart to fall for this. These synthetic vitamins are seen as foreign bodies and are eliminated as quickly as possible. This stuff is FAKE, and our bodies know it.

The nutrition supplements that will deliver the results promised above are of a natural, whole-food variety. You will find them at your local health food store or online, from a natural supplement distributor.

Seek out a whole-food multivitamin with chelated minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. Also, a powerful antioxidant formula is also very highly recommended. Green tea is great, but the real king of natural antioxidants is the Acai Berry. This will skyrocket your results in a HUGE way!

Explore natural supplements that meet your specific needs, and don’t forget to hydrate. If you drink 4 to 6 liters of purified water every day, you will be leaps and bounds ahead of the game!

Best wishes to you. Thanks for reading.

5 Things To Look For When Buying Health Insurance

The comfort and security of knowing you can see a doctor whenever the flu strikes or when you’ve broken your leg on the ski slopes is a privilege that many take for granted. Whether you have to select health insurance through your job or need to choose an independent company, there are plenty of factors that can affect your final decision. Weighing the pros and cons of various options is the best way to choose the health insurance that will accommodate your needs as an individual or family. Below are a few points to consider as you search for the best health insurance plan for you:

Know Your Choices

There are many different kinds of health insurance plans offered to the public. Knowing the various options you may qualify for will help satisfy your needs in the future. There are five type of health plans to consider: traditional indemnity, health maintenance organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Point of Service Plan (POS), and Health Savings Account (HSA). You should familiarize yourself with each option.

Know the Advantages and Disadvantages

Out of the five main types of health insurance plans, each one contains their own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, with a traditional indemnity plan, individuals seeking complete freedom in the medical providers they can select should choose this option. But freedom comes with a price; the insurance plans produce higher rates and costs. This means individuals will face few restrictions, but also have to cope with no financial incentives that lessen patient financial responsibility.

Coverage and Benefits

An important factor to consider when choosing a health insurance plan includes the type of benefits offered and whether or not they will accommodate your needs. Some of the coverage capabilities to ask about include maternity, prescription, childcare, immunizations, emergency visits, and annual checkups.

Costs

Seeking information on the premium or employee contribution associated with a particular health insurance plan is important to make an effective decision. The cost you are responsible for will depend on the type of plan you choose; the deductible, coinsurance and co-payment; lifetime maximums, and the limitation of plan benefit coverage.

Are You Considered “Hard to Insure?”

If you are labeled as a “hard to insure” case, you may not find the most cost-efficient or accommodating health coverage. A few things to keep in mind include: avoiding lifetime maximums of less than $500,000, straying from plans that only offer hospital and surgical benefits, seeking out an HMO plan that tend to be the least expensive, and researching health insurance coverage provided by professional organizations, school alumni programs or unions.