Archive for the ‘Diseases and Conditions’ Category

More Ways to Protect Yourself from Cervical Cancer

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Posted 12 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Diseases and Conditions, Histopathology

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Cervical cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer affecting women. Because the illness presents non-specific to no symptoms at all, not all women are familiar with it. Some of the early signs include excessive vaginal bleeding, painful sexual intercourse, weight loss, pelvic pain and abnormal discharges. Since prevention is always better than cure, here are the things you can do to protect yourself.

Safe Sex

The human papiloma virus (HPV) is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. As an infectious disease, HPV is highly preventable. Delaying the sexual intercourse, limiting the number of sexual partners and the use of condoms are efficient ways to avoid the infection.

Vaccination

Another way to prevent HPV infection is through vaccination. Currently, this is available in many health care facilities in different countries. Although it cannot give a 100% protection against cervical cancer, it can lessen your risks in acquiring it.

Pap Smear

Pap smear is a preliminary test for cervical cancer. It should be done by all women who reach 21 years old or as soon as a woman engages in vaginal intercourse. The test should be done yearly during the reproductive years.

The combination of these three factors is sufficient to keep yourself protected. Ask your doctor for more advise if you think you have it.

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Cervical Cancer- Protect Yourself

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Posted 11 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Diseases and Conditions, Histopathology, Laboratory Procedures

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Cervix refers to the lower part of the uterus. When problems in the cervix arise, the symptoms are so general that they go unnoticed. If you are a woman aged 18 years old and above and is sexually active, it is imperative that you undergo pap’s smear to see whether you have the deadly disease. Here are some facts about cervical cancer.

Symptoms

Some patients who have cervical cancer do not present any sign of the illness. However, in most women, the common symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual heavy discharge, and pelvic pain, pain during urination and pain and bleeding during a sexual intercourse. In rare cases, infections are also present.

Diagnosis

The use of symptoms alone cannot diagnose cervical cancer. For the preliminary assessment, your doctor may request a pap’s smear to check for the integrity of the individual cells. Usually, cancerous cells present themselves well under the microscope. If you get a positive Pap’s smear test, further testing is required.

Treatment

Women positively diagnosed with cervical cancer have many options for treatment. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of all of these may be warranted. If you have questions about the treatment, you should always ask your doctor about it.

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The Benefits of Stem Cell Research

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Posted 11 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Alternative Medicine, Diseases and Conditions, artificial methods

By Engracia S. Arceo , MPH, RMT

Stem cell research is a medical advancement that works on the idea that some cells in the body have the potential of generating new kinds of cells. It has been a topic of fictional movies and controversial debates worldwide. Although stem cell research has been present for several decades, not many people know the benefits of these tiny cells.

Cure for Rare Diseases

The new generation created a plethora of diseases. The treatment of many of them is still unknown to many scientists. With the promising advances in stem cell research, experts find hope in discovering treatments to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus and all forms of cancer.

Source of New Organs

Many people around the world are dying because of the scarcity of human organ donors. People who suffer from chronic heart ailments, liver and kidney problems die because they could not find a compatible organ to replace their damaged parts. With the help of stem cell research, researchers can produce new organs out of the tiny stem cells they harvest.

Research Potentials

Stem cells provide an endless possibility for more researches and development in the field of medicine. With stem cell research, scientists can study the human body better.

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Causes of Hemorrhoids

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Posted 10 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Diseases and Conditions

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Hemorrhoids are masses of tissues found in the anal canal that contain dislocated blood vessels. Most people have them but not all suffer the symptoms of the condition. Because of the rich supply of blood vessels in the area, bleeding from hemorrhoids shows bright red color. There are several reasons why these structures form in the anal area. Here are some of the most common causes.

Strain in Bowel Movement

One of the most common causes of prolapsed blood vessels is the strain during bowel movement.  If you experience frequent constipation, the stress in pushing your stool causes the blood vessels to move downward. To prevent a worsening problem, include more fibers in your diet. These will improve your bowel movement and reduce the strain in your anal area.

Obesity

Excessive weight gain is another predictor for hemorrhoids. Obese individuals and even pregnant women suffer the symptoms due to the pressure put on the blood vessels. The added weight to the anal area leads to collapsed veins.

Genetic

Despite the good bowel habits and ideal weight of some people, they still suffer from hemorrhoids. One probable reason for this is their genetic predisposition. If you have any family history of the problem, your likelihood of suffering from it is also very high.

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How to Get Rid of Athletes Foot

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Posted 07 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Alternative Medicine, Diseases and Conditions

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Athlete’s foot derived its name because of its frequent occurrence among athletes. The disease is caused by a fungus called. The organisms love to thrive warm and sweaty environment especially in between the toes. The infection is not a life threatening condition but it can be very itchy. Because anyone can have the infection, you should know the different remedies to deal with it.

Medication

Unless the athlete’s foot is so severe, anyone can treat it at home. You can get the topical cream from your local pharmacist and apply the cream generously everyday for the next two weeks. Be sure to wipe your feet dry before wearing your shoes and use anti-perspirant to avoid a sweaty feet.

Home Remedies

If you do not have the money to buy the over the counter medications, you can go straight to your kitchen and prepare the home remedies for the infection. Get garlic and crush it to extract the juice. Apply the extracts around the infected area and leave it for 30 minutes to one hour before washing. If you are more concern with your persistently itchy feet, use tea tree oil or soak your fee in warm lukewarm saltwater.

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How to Avoid Heatstroke

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Posted 04 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Diseases and Conditions, Home Remedies

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Heatstroke takes the life of millions of people worldwide. The extreme heat can make people sick. If you live in a tropical area or during summer in moderate countries, you must be aware of the possibility of a heatstroke. The condition affects all genders and all ages. Here are some facts about it.

Mechanism

Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate the normal temperature. During hot seasons, the body’s temperature increases and if the sweating mechanisms fail, it will be too difficult for your system to cool down. As a result, the different body organs start to malfunction. The heart beats abnormally fast and may lead to the fatal heatstroke.

Risk Factors

Some people are highly susceptible to it because of their underlying medical condition. Health problems like existing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity make at risk for heatstroke. Once you feel sudden dizziness, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, rapid heart rate or cold and clammy skin, you must be extra careful as these are signs that you are in trouble.

First-Aid

Once you experience the symptoms, get out of the heat. Get some water, loosen your clothing and seek medical help as soon as possible. Remember, heatstroke is an emergency situation. Do not take the symptoms for granted.

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Tips to Avoid Constipation

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Posted 04 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Alternative Medicine, Diseases and Conditions, Home Remedies

By Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Constipation can be defined as having less than three bowel movements per week and the stool is hard and difficult or painful to pass. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems that even healthy people encounter from time to time. Your diet, lifestyle, lack of fluid intake and inadequate exercise all contribute to the occurrence of the problem. To avoid the abnormal bowel movement, here are tips to avoid constipation, that you can follow.

Diet

Your diet plays a crucial role in adding bulk to your stool. In most countries, the less consumption of fibers leads to an increase incidence of constipation. Health experts recommend that you should at least consume 30 grams of fibers per day. Products like whole wheat bread, less refined rice and corn, fruits and vegetables are high in fibers. Be sure to include them in your major meals to meet the recommended daily intake.

Fluid

Fluid is important in all body processes and this includes the passage of stool. The water serves as a lubricant during the bowel movement. As much as possible, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day and increase it as the environmental temperature rises. Other possible sources of fluid are fresh fruit juices.

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Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Facts about It

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Posted 01 Dec 2010 — by admin
Category Diseases and Conditions, Home Remedies

By: Engracia S. Arceo, MPH, RMT

Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most critical emergency procedures designed to restore partial blood flow to the brain and the heart. It is done to patients who suffered from cardiac arrest. Although CPR alone is not sufficient to bring a person back to life, the procedure can delay tissue death and extend the time before brain damage occurs. While waiting for response from the medical practitioners, you should commence the CPR to help save the victim.

What are the new guidelines?

The American Heart Association updated the CPR guidelines in 2010 to stress the importance of high quality CPR. The guideline includes the need for sufficient rate and depth of compression without excessively ventilating the lungs. Still, the new guidelines adapt the different interventions for each age group. However, instead of using the acronyms, ABC for Airway, Breathing and Circulation, they recommend the CAB or Chest compressions, Airway and Breathing. The only exceptions to the new CAB guideline are infants and drowned patients.

Who Should Perform the CPR?

Previously, the CPR can only be performed by people who have special training on procedure. But with the new guidelines released by the American Heart Association, even the lay public can help save the life of victims. By doing the chest compressions alone without artificial respiration, the likelihood of success is still high compared when CPR is not commenced. With the compressions only delivery, ordinary people do not have to be passive bystanders.  Instead they can become active participants in saving the life of a person.

Why is it crucial?

CPR keeps the vital organs alive. Even with artificial means, the brain and the heart maintain their supply of oxygen. Otherwise, four to seven minutes of lack of oxygen leads to irreversible damage to the brain. It is therefore crucial that the procedure must be done as early as possible to increase the chances of the vital organs to respond to other medical attempts designed to revive them.

Is it effective?

The use of CPR does not guarantee 100% success. Studies show a high correlation between the timing and the success rate of the procedure. Because the CPR is most effective before brain damage occurs, it is important that the rescuer provides the artificial treatment as soon as possible.

Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills should not only be for the medical practitioners. It should be a natural skill of everyone. Because you will never know when to use it, it is important that you know what to do when emergency situation arises.

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Ideal Foods for Hypertensive Patients

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Posted 21 Nov 2010 — by admin
Category Clinical Chemistry, Diseases and Conditions, Home Remedies

If you are hypertensive, then you should know what to eat and what not to. The ideal food for hypertensive patients are the following.

Low salt foods

Salt increases blood pressure, so you should lessen your salt intake. Salt can come not only from table salt but also from most preserved foods. Opt for fresh foods instead of these types of foods.  Saltine crackers and some oatmeal brands are also rich in salt. Read the labels and ascertain that the salt content is low before eating it.

Low fat foods

Hypertension can result from high lipids or fats, so these types of foodstuffs should be avoided.  Fat can come from meat fat, like pork and chicken fat.

Dairy products

Most dairy products are rich in triglycerides and cholesterol which are predisposing factors in increasing the likelihood of hypertension.

Foods for hypertensive patients include fruits and vegetables because these foodstuffs are low in calories and are fat free. Vegetable oil and fish oil are healthy fats so they can be taken in. Knowing what food to eat and what not to, is a big factor in controlling your hypertension. You should therefore know the ideal foods for hypertensive patients to help you out in maintaining your health.

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Detox Cleanse Diet, a Good Way to Health

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Posted 09 Nov 2010 — by admin
Category Alternative Medicine, Diseases and Conditions, Home Remedies

Make sure you do not take in “toxic” substances.

Sometimes, even if people know that a substance is toxic, they still take them. Two very good examples are alcohol and cigarettes. Alcohol has been proven through reliable studies to cause irreversible liver cirrhosis after chronic usage, while cigarettes cause lung cancer. This fact does not matter as people blew rings of smoke and drown themselves in alcohol. Avoid these substances of abuse if you want to cleanse your system.

Avoid exposure to toxic fumes.

Toxic fumes enter the lungs and introduce these harmful substances to the respiratory tract. This may affect not only the lungs, but all the different organs in the body.

Eat more of fruits

Fruits are low in calories and are essential healthy substances that can help eliminate fats, toxic elements and prevent the body from invasion of foreign substances.

Eat more vegetables

Vegetables contain phytochemicals, L-carnitine, minerals, vitamins, and lots of fibers to promote hood health and an effective detox cleanse-process.

Drink lots of water

Water is one of the major and basic requirements for good cellular function. You should drink more of clean water. The body needs a lot of hydration before it could function well.

Avoid carbonated drinks

Carbonated drinks are unhealthy because they give you lots of calories with no health benefits at all. You should drink water instead of carbonated drinks.

These are methods to ensure that you have an effective detox cleanse method. When you do, wellness and good health will surely be the beneficial result.

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