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Stage 3 Cervical Cancer: Prognosis and Treatment

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin| Comments Off

Did you know that in the year 2011, more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer were detected in the US, and that more than 4000 people died of cervical cancer? In spite of the incidence of cervical cancer having considerably declined, it still continues to pose a serious threat to women’s health.

Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. It originates in the cervix, which is the lowermost part of the uterus, that opens right on top of the vagina. Cervical cancer usually originates in the squamous cells of the cervix. Cervical cancer is very closely associated with HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus; most cases of cervical cancer can be rooted to an HPV infection in women. As cervical cancer is most commonly caused by an HPV infection, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease is possible.

The staging system for cervical cancer was set by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). According to this system, there are, in all, four broad stages of cervical cancer. The prognosis and treatment for each of these stages is different; it depends on a lot of factors such as progress of the disease, age and health of the woman, tumor size and shape, etc. The details for prognosis and treatment of stage 3 cervical cancer are discussed below.

Stage 3 Cervical Cancer

The staging of cervical cancer is done on the basis of clinical examination. Different tests such as colposcopy, hysteroscopy, cervical conization to name a few need to be carried out to detect and stage a case of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can progress from the cervix to other parts of the female body. The tumor may metastasize from the cervix to the interior of the body, such as uterus, pelvic wall, pelvis, bladder and rectum; on the other hand, it may metastasize to the exterior of the body as well, viz., the middle and lower third of the vagina. It may also affect the functioning of kidneys.

Description

Stage 3 cervical cancer is characterized by tumor in the cervix, and/or the pelvic wall. It may even involve tumor in the lower third of the vagina. As stage 3 cervical cancer progresses, normal functioning of kidneys may also be impaired. A painful condition called hydronephrosis may be observed in the patient; in this condition, the free flow of urine is obstructed. If left untreated, it may lead to renal failure as well.

Prognosis

An important aspect of any disease is the symptoms caused by the disease. As symptoms become evident, diagnosis can be carried out. However, cervical cancer may not always have evident symptoms. Due to this, a patient may already be suffering from stage 3 (or even stage 4) cervical cancer by the time she is diagnosed.

Prognosis of stage 3 cervical cancer is difficult. This is mainly because, as the cancer progresses to later stages, the treatment strategy used focuses more on treating local lesions rather than on whole body chemotherapy or radiology. Also the fact that it is a stage 3 cervical cancer indicates that a good measure of metastasis has already occurred; this means the disease has already progressed beyond the initial stages in which it can be cured. The 5-year relative survival rate of stage 3 cervical cancer is only around 25 to 35%. (As opposed to this, the overall 5-year relative survival rate of cervical cancer is around 72%.)

With respect to diseases such as cancer, prognosis is expressed in terms of “5-year relative survival rate”. This is calculated by dividing total number of patients alive 5 years after diagnosis, by the total number of people of corresponding age, sex, etc., alive 5 years from diagnosis of patients. For a disease with high mortality, 5-year relative survival rates are very low, for example cancers. Cervical cancer, however, has a comparatively greater 5-year relative survival rate, at 72%; that of stage 1 cervical cancer is even more, at 92%.

Treatment

Effective treatment of cervical cancer includes early diagnosis. Diagnosis of cervical cancer can be done by routine Pap smears. Pap smears help to identify a case of HPV infection in women. If this infection is effectively treated, an instance of cervical cancer can be avoided. An HPV infection can be detected by the presence of precancerous cells, which may progress to cancerous cells if the infection is not treated or if the precancerous tissue is not removed.

Treatment in the early stages focuses mainly on removal of the affected tissue (precancerous or cancerous). The invasiveness of this procedure can be controlled, so as to remove only the affected tissue without damaging the cervix, uterus or other organs. This will enable a woman to have children in the future.

However, if cervical cancer unfortunately goes undetected in the initial stages, then treatment strategies need to be changed. Stage 3 cervical cancer treatment strategy mainly includes hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus but not the ovaries. If the tumor has metastasized to a greater extent, radical hysterectomy may also be required (removal of uterus and surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, and sometimes even the upper part of the vagina). Pelvic exenteration may also be done (removal of all pelvic organs, including bladder and rectum).

Finally, radiology, chemotherapy and other strategies used to treat other forms of cancer can also be used to treat cervical cancer that has spread beyond the pelvis. Internal radiation as well as external radiation may be used. As for chemotherapy, drugs like cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, etc., are commonly used. Sometimes, radiology and chemotherapy may be used in combination, before and/or after a surgery.

The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to routinely get your Pap smear done. According to the guidelines published on the PubMed Health website, if you are a sexually active woman, or if you are above 20 years of age and have never had a Pap smear done before, call your doctor today and inquire about Pap smears. One of the things about cervical cancer is that it is completely curable, IF diagnosed early enough. Pap smear is not even an invasive, painful or lengthy technique. It is a small step towards securing a healthy future.

Disclaimer: This article is purely for informative and educational purposes and does not advise. If users need medical advice, they should consult a doctor or other appropriate medical professionals.

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Posted in CANCER, WOMEN'S HEALTH

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Home Remedies for STDs

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin| Comments Off

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, can be a source of shame to most sufferers. This article describes some home remedies you can follow, along with prescribed medication, to reduce some of the symptoms associated with these diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases, as the name suggests, spread from one individual to another through intimate sexual contact. Getting diagnosed with an STD can cause a lot of embarrassment to individuals. These diseases can be treated with the use of proper medication. Some people also turn to home remedies to further ease the suffering. Though home treatment alone cannot completely cure any STD, it can go a long way in helping the sufferer deal with the pain. Home treatment, which implies incorporating a few lifestyle and dietary changes, and making use of natural herbs, can be used for STDs such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes. Let us take a deeper look at some such remedies.

Please note: The herbal treatments and dietary modifications listed below can be effective only if you follow them in conjunction with the prescribed medication as recommended by your doctor. They can only alleviate the painful ulcers and lesions these infections cause, and help you acquire a healthier immune system, not cure the disease. Herbs should not be consumed without the guidance of a health care provider. If you are allergic to any of the herbs or ingredients listed below, do not consume or use them.

Home Remedies for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Herbal Remedies

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, with its strong medicinal properties, is said to be a powerful healing agent against scars and wounds left by syphilis. Apply a thick layer of aloe vera gel to the wounds. Let it air dry. Apply twice daily till you see the scabs falling away and you get cured. Keep in mind that the gel should not be applied on an open sore and always wear gloves during the application to prevent further spread of the disease.

Tea Tree Oil
With its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is another powerful remedy for soothing STD symptoms. It can be used to ease the pain caused by chancroid and syphilis among other diseases. Applying this oil on the infected area with the help of a clean cotton ball can bring a lot of relief. You need to follow this mode of treatment for at least a few weeks before the infection goes away. Another method is to add a few drops of this essential oil to your daily bath to ease the painful symptoms. Women can apply very light vaginal douche of tea tree oil to soothe the discomfort from chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis.

Anthocleista
The roots of this medicinal shrub, specifically of the species Anthocleista djalonensis, can be used to treat a variety of STDs. Thoroughly wash the roots and boil them in water for an hour. One glass of this concoction, daily, for a couple of months, can bring down the pain caused by syphilis and other diseases. If roots are not available, boil pieces of the bark and leaves. The fruits of the tree, if eaten raw, can also help.

Suma
Native to Latin America, this root is used to combat STDs not just because of its antibacterial properties, but also because it helps build a stronger immune system which is very important to ward off potential diseases. Used in a similar fashion to anthocleista, boiling the roots, bark, and leaves of the tree and drinking the concoction, or consuming the fruits of the tree all help to fight STDs, especially gonorrhea and syphilis.

Other herbs used to treat sexually transmitted diseases are Japanese privet, yellow thistle, astragalus, ginseng, and burdock root. Concoctions made from roots and leaves of these shrubs have proven helpful in treating the ulcers caused by syphilis, chancroid, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Home Treatments

Baking Soda/Cornstarch
Sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on the sores and ulcers caused by syphilis and genital herpes can reduce the inflammation and itching.

Tea
Tea contains tannic acid, which is known to bring relief to genital tissues. Brew a black tea bag, cool it, and place it on the areas around the genitals which have been inflamed with sores, especially in the case of genital herpes and genital warts. Discard the used tea bag after a few minutes.

Ice
Ice cubes, crushed and wrapped in a plastic bag and applied to sores and inflamed genitals will bring instant relief from pain in the case of genital herpes and warts. This can be done several times during the day. Although the safest method, take care not to overdo it, as prolonged exposure to ice may harm the tissues.

Lemon Juice/Vinegar
Dabbing genital warts with cotton balls dipped in lemon juice or vinegar will have an astringent effect on them, providing relief from pain.

Dietary Changes

Yogurt
A disadvantage of antibiotics is that they also kill the good bacteria along with the harmful ones. Yogurt, with its probiotic properties, is conducive for the growth of good bacteria in the body that help in digestion. Yogurt contains lactic acid bacteria and other live microorganisms which are probiotic in nature. Eating yogurt on a daily basis will ensure that the body does not lose its share of the good bacteria, which can aid digestion, keep you healthy and help you fight diseases better.

Garlic
Because of its powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, chew a clove of raw garlic every day to stave off the buildup of bacteria and other pathogens which in turn reduces the risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases.

Multivitamins
A daily dose of multivitamins, especially those enriched with folic acid, zinc, and vitamins B, C, E, and K is essential for a healthy body. All these vitamins and minerals help in the faster recovery of the body from any disease.

Apart from these, drinking lots of water which will flush out toxins, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will keep you healthy, boost your immune system, and help keep diseases at bay. Additionally, it is imperative that you maintain strict personal hygiene, avoid all contact with an infected partner, and wash and sanitize all clothes and bedding items on a regular basis to check further infection.

Sexually transmitted diseases cannot be cured without prescribed antibiotics and antiviral drugs, and should be treated as soon as they are detected. If left untreated, they can aggravate and cause serious complications, which can include various types of cancers like penile or cervical cancer, infertility in women, severe pelvic pain, arthritis, and can even be passed from a mother to her unborn child, which can also lead to birth abnormalities. Most STDs are asymptomatic in their early stages, hence it is essential that you screen yourself to avoid further complications. Prevent getting infected from sexually transmitted diseases by not having multiple sexual partners, and always using condoms. Vaccinations are available for HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis B. Be responsible towards your partner. Inform them if you have had multiple partners before, or have had or are suffering from an STD. In case you are currently suffering from any such disease, it is best to abstain from any sexual activity for the sake of yours and your partner’s health, and to check further spread. In short, practice safe sex and remain faithful to your partner, which will cut back the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.

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Posted in REMEDIES

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Birth Control Pills May Increase Risk of Blood Clots

Posted on December 15, 2011 by admin| Comments Off

Women have been using oral contraceptive pills since the 1960′s. The main ingredients to inhibit ovulation are the presence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Through the years, pharmaceutical companies have been developing newer generations of these hormones to lessen the unwanted side-effects and increase the non-contraceptive benefits.

Drosperinone is one such drug.

It is a fourth generation synthetic progesterone. Its action is mainly anti-mineralocorticoid meaning it inhibits water retention as is frequently observed in women taking oral contraceptives. Drosperinone is very similar in action to a diuretic. As a diuretic, there is less fluid retention, less bloating, less weight gain and less breast tenderness.

The three brands containing drosperinone are Yasmin, Yaz and Yasminelle which are all produced by the company, Bayer.

Maria Liu, a mother of three, who has been on Yasmin since 2003 has been very happy with the product. “I used to take Diane pills but I experiences severe headaches and weight gain. I was very happy when my doctor introduced me to Yasmin. I have not had any episode of headache since I started this brand. I even notice some weight loss when I shifted to Yasmin.”

In September 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released their preliminary report stating that drosperinone-containing pills may increase the risk of blood clots.

This October 27, 2011, the final result of the FDA-funded study reveals that ” there is increasing evidence linking drosperinone-containing tablets to increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) relative to standard low-dose combined hormonal oral contraceptives.”

The study was a retrospective cohort study involving 835,826 women with 189,210 person-years exposure to drosperinone. In the final analysis, there was a 1.7 increased risk of VTE versus other low-estrogen pills.

Dr. Delfin Tan, an obstetrician-gynecologist has this to say regarding the controversy: “The risk of getting a blood clot in women taking the pill is 1 in 3000, while the risk of getting a clot while the woman is pregnant is even higher at 1 in 1000. ”

The FDA will present the study at the joint meeting of Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on December 8.

Till the final verdict is out, it would be safe to discontinue usage of these brands of pills containing drosperinone. Visit your doctor for an alternative drug.

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Posted in BIRTH CONTROLS, HEART & BLOOD CIRCULATION, WOMEN'S HEALTH

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The Best Time to Stretch

Posted on December 15, 2011 by admin| Comments Off

There has been a long standing debate among athletes, coaches and sports physicians  on when is the best time to stretch … before exercise or after exercise?

This latest study from the Archive of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine published November 7, 2011, supports the theory that neuromuscular warm-up training (NMT) before  a game reduces lower extremity injury.

The group was composed of 105 girls’ soccer and basketball teams from all Chicago high schools.

Half of the teams were asked to perform a prescribed 20-minute neuromuscular warm-up while the other teams stuck to their standard methods including no warm-up exercise at all or simply jogging around the track on their own.

Overall, there was less lower extremity injury in the group that performed the prescribed neuromuscular warm-up compared to the other teams.

There was a forty-four percent decrease in acute non-contact lower extremity injury and a thirty-four percent decrease in non-contact ankle sprains among players who performed the NMT warm-up.

Seven athletes in the group with no warm-up sustained anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and six of them required surgery. Only two sustained ACL injuries in the warm-up group and both girls did not need surgery.

This theory is not new to us. It just further supports the idea that NMT warm-up may have a role in preventing injury.

Coach Binky Favis, the former coach of professional basketball teams Coca-Cola and Ginebra has this advice “Make sure your warm-up program consists of agility, balance and biometric exercises. Widen your stance, don’t let your knees bump each other and always, always land on flexed knees and hips.”

Here is an example of a 20-minute warm-up program before engaging in exercise or sports:

1. Jump Rope. Using a fast twirl, rapidly jump up and down, using spring in the feet and ankles, not in the knees.

2. Ankle Bounces. Rapidly jump up and down using spring in the feet and ankles not in the knees.

3. Jumping Jacks. Jump feet wide and together while bringing arms over head then down to hips.

4. V-Jumps. Start with opposite arm and foot to the front. With small jumps, quickly alternate the lead foot and arm on each jump.

5. Walking Quad Stretch. Bring heel to butt and press hips forward.

6. Walking Lunge Stretch. Keep belly button facing straight ahead.

7. Side Step Lunge. Step directly to the side, keep head, knee and toe in straight line.

8. Standing Hamstring. Keep hips square.

9. Kneeling Hip Flexor. Keep belly button facing straight ahead.

Do all exercises 16 counts each for 2 repetitions.

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Posted in EXERCISE, HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Excessive Hair Loss

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin| Comments Off

Excessive hair loss is a serious cause of concern that just cannot be overlooked. To get to know the reasons for excessive hair loss and how to deal with it, read the following article about excessive hair loss.

Excessive hair loss that suddenly enters the lives is also taken very lightly by many as being one of the signs of aging. But, there could be many other things behind excessive hair loss, demanding more attention than they normally get. Pollution, heat, dust and hormonal imbalance, are some of the common causes of hair loss. Many people on the other hand have sleepless nights with this seemingly insignificant problem, to an extent that their extra concern becomes one of the main reasons for their excessive hair loss.

As a matter of fact, some amount of daily hair loss is perfectly normal and natural. Normal human head consists of more than 100,000 hair follicles, which grow within a specific growth cycle. There are three phases of the hair grown, all three being equally important and significant. Any problem in the mechanism of this cycle could be the reason behind the excessive hair loss. There are certain other factors that contribute evenly to the cause of excessive hair loss, including the gender and ethnicity of the person. Let’s discuss this further more.

Excessive Hair Loss

In the cycle of normal hair growth, 90% of total hair follicle grow at one go, which lasts for 2 to 6 years, while the rest of them are already at the resting. This resting phase lasts for more than 2 to 6 months. When the resting phase ends, these follicles shed by giving way to the new hair follicle that take their place. This we normally reckon as ‘hair loss’, which is totally normal and necessary. Most of the hair loss that people experience is natural and shedding more than 50 hair a day is considered to be normal!

As we know, hair shed and new hair take place of the older ones, only to continue the cycle of hair growth. When a person is suffering from hair fall of more than 100 hair a day, he is suffering with excessive hair loss for sure, which actually needs immediate attention of a dermatologist. There could possibly be more than only one reason behind this excessive hair loss. While pollution, heat, improper diet and hormonal imbalance, aging, etc. cost you the beautiful hair, there are several other reasons for excessive hair loss that need to be discussed here.

Reasons for Excessive Hair Loss

There are several reasons that could be behind excessive hair loss, like usage of very tight hair accessories, chronic fever, excessive usage of hair care products, excessive dieting and poor nutritional diet, several skin disorders, etc. These factors are basically responsible for sudden and excessive hair loss. This kind of hair loss often gets cured as soon as the root cause of hair loss is evaded, properly. Along with all the above mentioned causes of excessive hair loss, here are some more serious reasons for hair loss.

Medications and Chemicals

Excessive fear of hair loss leads a person to take ‘excessive’ care of the existing hair. This increases his/her usage of hair care products containing harmful chemicals. These chemicals work negatively on the hair, along with the medications that one consumes, in order to stop the excessive hair loss. As a result, the hair become weaker and fall out easier than one can ever expect.

Hereditary Baldness

Hereditary baldness is also known as androgenetic alopeciam, which is the prime reason behind the excessive hair loss in men and sometimes in women as well. This disorder is inherited from either one family of the person, that is the paternal or maternal. While men lose almost all of their hair, women normally do not go completely bald.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata can be called bald spots, that specifically develop on the scalp, making all the hair in that spot to disappear. This disorder may affect a person of any age from children to adults and can result in total hair loss of the affected area, without leaving any rough spot. In such cases, hair regrowth is possible only after proper dermatological treatments.

Scalp Disorders

Certain scalp diseases, skin disorders and infections actually cause excessive hair loss. The best example could be scalp ringworm which are caused by a fungal infection. Scalp ringworm cause scaling of the scalp skin, broken hair, swelling, itchy scalp hair loss, redness and oozing from scalp surface. Scalp ringworm are highly contagious and mostly seen amongst children.

Hair Pulling and Hair Scarring

Many people, including adults have a tendency to pull their hair until they come out. With reasons unknown, hair pulling is said to be a coping response towards excessive stress and several other psychological problems. Hair scarring alopecia is one hair disorder leading to patchy hair loss along with pain, inflammation and swelling of the scalp surface.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium is a condition that is caused by excess in the number of hair in the resting, which leads to excessive hair loss. Some of the reasons for telogen effluvium include, cancer treatment, low serum iron, protein deficiency, major surgery, etc. Thyroid disease, menopause, birth control pills, premenstrual syndrome, stress, etc. are the prime reasons for excessive hair loss in women.

How to Deal with Excessive Hair Loss

As I stated earlier, excessive hair loss is hair falling out in bunch and that too at any time of the day is a sure cause of concern. Excessive hair loss needs immediate medical intervention by the dermatologist. The sooner the treatment for excessive hair loss begins the sooner would be the recovery from the same. Excessive hair loss could also stop naturally once some of the above mentioned situational causes of excessive hair loss are taken care of. In other cases, special treatments and therapies would be necessary.

As part of the diagnosis, the dermatologist may suggest several medications including vitamin supplements, multivitamins, hormonal therapy like cortisone injections, hair restoration surgery, scalp reduction treatment, hair transplant, scalp tissue expanders, etc. are some of the hair loss solutions that the dermatologist might suggest in order to cure excessive hair loss.

A healthy, active and stress-free lifestyle, a balanced diet and plenty of exercise is all that one needs to have a healthy body as well as healthy hair. It is also very important to get to know some proper hair care techniques so that one would always be aware of the harmful things as far as hair care in concerned. Well, on this note I conclude this article about excessive hair loss. Hope it was informative to you all!

 

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Posted in HAIR

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