Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Symptons of Acidity

·         Burning sensation or pain in the stomach, 1-4 hours after a meal
·         Chest pain
·         Prolonged heartburn
·         Inflammation in chest
·         Feeling hungry frequently
·         Constant pain in the upper abdomen
·         Belching
·         Nausea
·         Bitter taste in mouth
·         Loss of appetite
·         Respiratory problems
·         Vomiting
·         Coughing
·         Gastro-esophageal reflux
·         Voice change and formation of ulcer in esophagus (tube connecting mouth and stomach)
·         Pain during muscular contractions
·         Pain in ears
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Causes of Acidity

* Excessive smoking
* Drinking too much alcohol
* Gastro duodenal ulcer
* Hyper secretion of hydrochloric acid
* Reflux of gastric acid
* Not having meals on time
* Eating fried and spicy food on a regular basis
* Problems in the functioning of digestive system
* Being on an empty stomach for a long time or skipping breakfast
* Eating foods rich in fats, like chocolates
* Pregnancy
* Aging
* Obesity
* Excessive exposure to sun and heat
* Inappropriate food habits
* Negative emotions
* Weakness of the valves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Acidity

Almost all of us had acidity once in a while. Acidity can be described as a condition wherein there is an excess of acid secretion by the gastric glands of stomach. When the secretion is more than usual, we feel, what is commonly known as heartburn, which is normally triggered off by consumption of spicy foods. Heartburn and gas formation are the major symptoms of acidity. Our body produces acid to digest the food we eat. However, problem strikes, when it produces more acid than what is required. It is, then, that the gastric juices move from the stomach, into the lower esophagus, making it dysfunctional. There are a number of reasons that lead to the formation of acidity.







Sunday, May 1, 2011

Alternate Medicine: Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient. Homeopathy is the one of the most rapidly growing systems of medicine and is practiced all over the world. The gentleness of its cure and the safety of its pills have made the medicine system quite popular. In Indian context, homeopathy is in use for more than a century and a half. It is well blended with the roots and traditions of the country and is now recognized as one of the National Systems of Medicine. Due to its mass appeal, it provides health care and solutions to large number of people. Homeopathy is made up of two Greek words, 'Homeo' meaning similar and 'Pathos' meaning suffering. Therefore, it simply treats with remedies in minute doses, which produce symptoms similar to the disease, when taken by healthy people.
The basic principle of homeopathy, known as the "law of similar", is "let like be cured by like". It was first stated by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. His "law of similar" is taken on his word as an unproven assertion, and is not a true law of nature based on the scientific method. Apart from the symptoms, homeopaths examine aspects of the patient's physical and psychological state, then homeopathic reference books known as repertories are consulted, and a “remedy” is selected based on the totality of symptoms.
Homeopathy has been criticized for putting patients at risk due to advice against conventional medicine such as vaccinations, anti-malarial drugs, and antibiotics. The regulation and prevalence of homeopathy is highly variable from country to country. There are no specific legal regulations concerning its use in some countries, while in others, licenses or degrees in conventional medicine from accredited universities are required. In several countries, homeopathy is covered by the national insurance to different extents, while in some it is fully integrated into the national health care system. In many countries, the laws that govern the regulation and testing of conventional drugs do not apply to homeopathic “remedies”.











Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Alternative Medicine: Accupuncture

Acupuncture originates from China and has been practiced there for thousands of years. Although there are records of acupuncture being used hundreds of years ago in Europe, it was during the second half of the twentieth century it began to spread rapidly in Western Europe, the United States and Canada. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient's skin at specific points on the body - the needles are inserted to various depths. Acupuncture dates back to prehistoric times, with written records from the second century BCE. Different variations of acupuncture are practiced and taught throughout the world. Traditional acupuncture was developed prior to the understanding of human anatomy and cell theory upon which modern biology is based, and there is no anatomical or scientific evidence for the existence of qi or meridians; concepts central to acupuncture theory.
According to WHO (World Health Organization) acupuncture is effective for treating 28 conditions, while evidence indicates it may have an effective therapeutic value for many more. Acupuncture has been effectively used for the treatment of back pain, headache, migraine, and sports injuries. However, acupuncture provides more than pain relief. It is helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems, abdominal, menstrual cramps, weight control, infertility and much more.
Acupuncture generally involves several weekly or fortnightly treatments. Most courses consist of up to 12 sessions. A visit to an acupuncturist will involve an exam and an assessment of the patient's condition, the insertion of needles, and advice on self-care. Most sessions last about 30 minutes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Healthy Heart

Diet for Healthy Heart: Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil.
Exercise for Healthy Heart: Half an hour's walk at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime.
Precautions for Healthy Heart: Quit smoking, Control weight, Control blood pressure and sugar, everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.
Some Facts to know: Cholesterol accumulates right from childhood.
How to control cholesterol content without using medicines: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.
Best and Worst food for the heart: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.
First aid steps to be taken on a heart attack: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.
Things to be taken care of after a heart operation: Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight.







Monday, April 18, 2011

Types of Cancer

TYPES OF CANCER
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of a group of cells, invading the adjacent tissues or spreading to far off places in the body, through lymph or blood. Cancer still does not have definite cure as yet. Cancer affects people of all ages, even the fetuses in a womb. However, the risk of developing cancer increases with old age. Except for leukemia, almost all the types of cancer result in the development of a tumor.
Following are various Types of Cancer:
1.       Lung Cancer: It is caused by an uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissues. The growth, though it occurs in the lungs, leads to metastasis, which causes penetration beyond the lungs.
2.       Breast Cancer: Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast of an individual. Though women are generally more prone to this type of cancer, men are no exception.
3.      Prostate Cancer: This type of cancer affects only the males. It develops in the prostrate, a gland in the male reproductive system, and may spread to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes.
4.      Bladder Cancer: In this type of cancer, abnormal cells multiply, without control, in the bladder. Several types of growth might occur in the urinary bladder, in bladder cancer.
5.      Pancreatic Cancer: A tumor of the pancreas, this cancer causes pain in the upper abdomen, along with loss of appetite, significant weight loss and painless jaundice.
6.Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood or bone marrow of a person. In leukemia, there is a multiplication of white blood cells.
7.      Ovarian Cancer: Exclusively found in women, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. In this type of cancer, a growth forms in the lining of the ovary or in the egg cells.
8.      Colon Cancer: Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer or "CRC", includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix.
9.      Hodgkin’s disease: Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes. It was named after Thomas Hodgkin, who first described abnormalities in the lymph system in 1832.
10.   Multiple Myeloma: Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.
11.    Skin Cancer: Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. If left unchecked, these cancer cells can spread from the skin into other tissues and organs.
12.    Head and Neck Cancers: The term head and neck cancer refers to a group of biologically similar cancers originating from the upper aerodigestive tract, including the lip, oral cavity (mouth), nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.
13.    Esophageal Cancer: Esophageal cancer is a cancerous (malignant) tumor of the esophagus, the muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach.
14.   Stomach Cancer: Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver.
15.   Liver Cancer: Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer of the liver.
16.   Anal Cancer: Anal cancer is a type of cancer which arises from the anus, the distal orifice of the gastrointestinal tract.
17.   Kidney Cancer: Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.
18.   Testis Cancer: Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.
19.   Gynecological Cancers: Gynecologic cancer is a group of cancers that affect the tissue and organs of the female reproductive system. Each type of cancer is named after the organ it originates.
20.  Choriocarcinoma: Choriocarcinoma is a malignant, trophoblastic and aggressive cancer, usually of the placenta. It is characterized by early hematogenous spread to the lungs. It belongs to the far end of the spectrum of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), a subset of germ cell tumors.
21.    Brain Tumors: A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.
22.   Bone Tumors: A bone tumor refers to a neoplastic growth of tissue in bone. Abnormal growths found in the bone can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant.
23.   Carcinoid Tumor: Carcinoid tumor is a slow-growing type of neuroendocrine tumor, originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system.
24.  Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx or "throat", where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract.
25.   Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare neoplasms.
26.  Soft Tissue Tumors: A soft tissue sarcoma is a form of sarcoma that develops in connective tissue, though the term is sometimes applied to elements of the soft tissue that are not currently considered connective tissue.
 w