Saturday, December 30, 2006

Physical Fitness Flexibility Training

Becoming flexible involves maximizing your range of motion and stability. Flexibility training helps to increase blood flow and it also reduces the risk of potential injuries. There are three traditional stretching exercises that will help improve flexibility: static, dynamic, and isometric/PNF. These techniques should be incorporated into your workout routine.

The most common form of stretching is known as static stretching. It is taught to children in gym class and refers to the practice of stretching to your maximum capacity, holding for a brief period of time, and then releasing. Static stretches help improve circulation and prepares your muscles for an upcoming workout.

Dynamic stretching involves using weights, which can also include your body weight as a factor. This type of stretching method can be harmful as it is possible to tear muscles or tendons if proper care is not exercised. An example could be lunges, where you use your body’s weight to stretch the muscles in the leg.

Isometric/ PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is just a ten dollar name for putting tension on your muscles and then relaxing. This type of stretching best prepares you for heavy exercise. This method frequently uses a partner to help create tension on the targeted muscle group. The most common example is lying on your back with one leg in the air. The partner will push your leg towards your body until it causes tension on your hamstring. You then try to push your leg back down as your partner provides resistance. When a partner is not available you can use exercise ropes/ cords that stretch and can provide resistance.

No matter how you exercise, flexibility training should become a natural part of your routine. It helps to protect the muscles and joints during physical fitness activities and can maximize your performance levels.

Adult Acne Skin Care

Acne is not a problem limited to teens in the throes of hormonal upheaval. Adult acne happens far more frequently than is generally realized. Broadly speaking, adult acne plagues 25% of adult males and up to 50% of adult females, though it is often not recognized.

The cause of adult acne has not been identified as yet, but there are theories. One of them is that teens and adults share on common nemesis, albeit at different levels – stress. Stress causes internal changes that temporarily disturb hormonal equilibrium, and may just be responsible for pimples that seem to pop up at the worst possible time.

Treatment and damage control for adult acne does not differ drastically from that for teen acne. But considering the ambiguity surrounding the causes, care and prevention are highly personalized issues. Should one, for instance, note that they break out with a rash of zits while reading the latest Stephen King novel or after the monthly argument with their spouse, some changes in reading habits and lifestyle may very well be in order. Adult females are far more given to the use of elaborate and inadvisable makeup regimens than teenagers are, and males are catching up.

While treating adult acne, bear in mind that adult skin is far less resilient and elastic than teen skin. Avoid harsh soaps and ‘skin-stripping’ agents and stick to mild cleaners and generally follow the care and prevention regimen prescribed for teen acne with an added precaution. In adults, there is a reduced ability of skin to re-moisturize naturally after being subjected to the abrasive and dehydrating effects of a compound like benzoyl peroxide. The use of such a compound must necessarily be followed by the application of a hypoallergenic, no-oily moisturizer – preferably made of organic extracts – to reestablish the skin’s natural moisture content.

Adult Acne can be frustrating and embarrassing, but it is treatable. It is advised to contact a dermatologist for chronic adult acne.

The Natural Vitamin Supplement Option

The potential dangers of using excessive quantities of synthetic man made vitamins had been written about a lot. The use of synthetic man made vitamin supplements in large doses and the effects this could have on your health have conflicting views and opinions by professionals. Some of these professionals believe that these vitamin supplements do more harm than good.

The positive effects of natural vitamin supplement intakes versus synthetic vitamins have been stated in English written newspaper articles. There is no doubt that the best source for vitamin and mineral supplements is nature, even if these articles may be propaganda directed by drug manufacturers, and this is something that all nutritionists agree with. Natural vitamin supplements, unlike man made synthetic vitamins, contain only natural ingredients.

Synthetic VS Natural Vitamin Supplement

Natural vitamin supplements that come from naturally occurring food is much more effectively absorbed by the body than synthetic vitamins. There may even be a chemical structure in synthetic vitamins that try to trick the body into taking them as natural food.

During your meal there is also the practice of taking a pill to increase the chances of being absorbed properly. However, it is better to take a natural vitamin supplement to get your daily vitamin ratio than it is to overload your body by giving it synthetic and hard to absorb vitamins.

Natural Vitamin Supplement Products

Today there are many products on the market that claim to provide 100% natural vitamin supplements. There are even some food packages that claim they act as a natural vitamin supplement. The products that contain natural nutrients and vitamins are much easier for your body to absorb since they come as naturally occurring food.

Some of these food have all the nutrients your body needs and are really good. This includes anti-oxidants, enzymes and whole molecular cells. To respond to your body’s requests for vitamins these components act together. However, for your particular state of health you cannot be sure how efficient they are and whether they provide you with everything you need unless you talk with a nutritionist.

Are Natural Vitamin Supplements Efficient?

A good start to keep your body healthy is a healthy diet.Get a Balanced Healthy Diet You can be provided with a healthy diet through food packages that act as a natural vitamin supplement, especially by choosing your brand wisely. However, following a good diet may not correct all your vitamin deficiencies.

Your current state of health should be examined by a nutritionist who will run the necessary tests on you in order to provide a diagnosis and recommend a quality vitamin supplement. They will let you know if it is enough to take a natural vitamin supplement or if you will need additional treatment Vitamins Diary.The potential dangers of using excessive quantities of synthetic man made vitamins had been written about a lot. The use of synthetic man made vitamin supplements in large doses and the effects this could have on your health have conflicting views and opinions by professionals. Some of these professionals believe that these vitamin supplements do more harm than good.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a dreadful and life-threatening cancer, caused by continuous and long exposure to asbestos. It is a tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen that protects the contents of the abdomen and provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.

Presently there are few treatments, but no specific known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have improved tremendously with ongoing research, especially if the cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously. Specific types of treatment include traditional chemotherapy: This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered by mouth in tablet form or intravenously via needle into a vein or a muscle.

Another treatment option is surgery. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma entails cutting out part of the affected lining and tissue from the abdomen in order to remove the tumor. Whether or not surgery is performed and how much tissue is removed depends on how far the cancer has spread and how big the tumor is. Sometimes it becomes necessary to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm in order for surgery to succeed in removal of the tumor.

Yet another option is radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, high energy x-rays are used to shrink tumors and kill off cancerous cells in the affected area. There are two ways to administer radiation therapy, either externally where a machine is placed outside the body and emits radiation through the body, or through plastic tubes that enable radiation to be placed directly to the affected area.

There are also clinical trials and various experimental treatments, like gene therapy and immunotherapy, and antiangiogenesis drugs for the treatment of this life-threatening cancer. Research is being done vigorously, and doctors are continuously striving to achieve success in curing this disease so as to ensure that no one else falls prey to this dangerous cancer.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, being regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG, and EPA, falls on the Hazardous substance list. Also, because of the associated carcinogenic effect, it falls on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. Workplace Exposure limits for Asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers have been set. It should, however, be considered that Asbestos, being a carcinogen in humans, has no safe level of Exposure. The crucial steps to minimize Asbestos Exposure to workers and their family members include establishment of a regulated, marked area for handling and storage of asbestos, preference for enclosed operations and use of local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Other important steps for control include the wearing of protective work clothing, communicating all information on the hazards of asbestos, and washing thoroughly before leaving a regulated area and at the end of the work shift.

However, even by adhering to the workplace Exposure limits and to all crucial ways for reducing Asbestos Exposure, it is probable to develop Asbestos-induced health ailments. This needs to be consulted and resolved by a medical practitioner specialized in diseases induced by Asbestos Exposure.

The toxic effects induced by Asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by Asbestos Exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and mesothelioma (a highly malignant disease).

The toxicity induced by Asbestos also finds its place in the relatives of the workers exposed to it. This is mainly due to the presence of Asbestos fibers in the clothes of the Asbestos workers. These contaminated clothes, too, require safe measures for cleaning or disposal. Because of the capacity of Asbestos to cause potential hazards to health, its use has been banned in many industries.

Scientists Say New Wine May be Effective Eczema Treatment

Germans scientists have turned their talents to the worldepicurean delight, will apparently help improve eczema. While we can't vouch for its success at your next dinner party, we can appreciate its benefits to the skin - although a shielding lotion may be a more appropriate external eczema treatment.

What does seaweed have to offer? It has long been considered a 'super food' - fat-free, low calorie, and full of vital minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine and sodium. In fact, some seaweed contains those minerals in the same ratios and concentrations found in human blood.

In addition to nourishing the body, one of the most important health benefits of seaweed is its ability to remove radioactive strontium and other heavy metals from the body. Whole brown seaweed, such as is used in seaweed wine, contains alginic acid which binds with the toxins in the intestines and carries them out of the system - preventing them from being eliminated through the skin, as is the case with eczema flare-ups.

If you don't fancy the wine, you might try adding seaweed to your diet in other forms. It can be found in most health food stores, or those that sell ingredients for Japanese food. You can add strips of it to soup, use it to make a soup broth, or eat it dried as a snack. The red algae seaweed, such as nori, agar-agar, and Irish moss are also very good for you. Nori is the seaweed used to wrap sushi, but Gaelic people also mix it with flour to make bread. Agar-agar is a gel used as a base in many Japanese desserts, and dried Irish moss is most often used in relishes, breads, soups and fritters.

In addition to shoring up your diet with seaweed and other healthy foods, the skin also requires protection from harsh chemicals and other external toxins if you want to avoid eczema flare-ups. Hundreds of dermatologists are now recommending a good shielding lotion as an effective external eczema treatment, although, who knows, if seaweed wine gets really popular we may soon be shopping for our body care products at the local vineyard.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Medicinal Herbs

Herbs have long been revered as saviors in the wake of sickness and pain. They are medicines and because of their ability to heal and restore, they are kept dried and in dark bottles so that they can be used all year round. Herbs are now integrated in food and cuisines of many a culture, and they can influence the way are body functions and help us optimize our health on a daily basis. The medicinal properties of herbs prompt us to use them as remedies for diseases ranging from the simple to the severe.

Some herbs are discussed as examples of the curative mandate these plants have:

There are hundreds of species of the herb St. John's Wort. It has been regarded as a medicine for thousands of years. It has extremely active compounds such as choline, pectin, hypericin and pseudohypericin. The flowers and leaves act as analgesic, antiseptic, digestive, diuretic, astringent, sedative and stimulant. Some compounds of the plant have proven anti-retroviral capabilities without grave side effects. It is said in some medical circles to play an important role to play in the treatment of AIDS. St. John's Wort is also known to have mild anti depressant qualities.

Chamomile flowers are most commonly used as a medicine. It is very aromatic and is used in teas. It is very useful in treating cuts and wounds. It has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in teas to treat insomnia. The active principles are flavonoids, terpenoid volatile oils.

The flowers and leaves of the Feverfew contain parthenolide. This compound is found in glands on the reverse side of the leaves. This herb is used widely as a remedy for a number of ailments such as tooth aches, disorders of the bones and joints, migraines, asthma and menstrual problems.

Scrub the Floor, Not Your Skin – Acne Skin Care

Are your breakouts so intolerable that you'd want to plunge your face on your pillow all day just to hide your face? Or, are you the type who'd scrub your face hoping the acne would wear off and go down the drain? If only acne were that easy to get rid of? Having acne is a natural thing, but it is one of the natural phenomena that bring disaster upon you. That's right, sad but true.

You should know that acne are not caused by bacteria alone. It begins at the root of the hair follicle where dead skin cells accumulate, which gets inflamed when clogged and acted upon by bacteria. The best way to avoid and eliminate acne is to maintain a clean skin everyday. But does that put the need to wash your face frequently? The answer is "N-O". Gentle washing should be part of your acne skin care. And please, use only a mild cleanser, that is – once in the morning and before going to sleep. Other cleansers may contain harsh ingredients abrasive to your acne, worsening your skin's condition.

Acne skin care should ensure that the pores are well penetrated by cleansing agents. Dermatologists also warn us about the use of bars soaps as they strip important lipids away.

I guess you are probably so concerned about your acne that you want to feel them often (like checking if it's still there? duh!). Squeezing, picking or popping zits is a no-no in acne skin care.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun are also damaging to your skin and aggravate acne because it triggers a virulent production of sebum, not to mention that skin cancer is also attributed to UV rays. Having sun exposure is not ultra bad at all; just avoid the rays from 10AM – 4PM to save you from the risks.

Also, in case you can't do without your daily makeup, make sure you choose products that are oil-free or noncomedogenic.

Another way to treat your acne is exfoliating. This process removes the top layer of dead skin cells that contribute to flare ups. Do this only once a week to avoid tearing your skin and choose a gentle scrub with microdermabrasion (the ones with tiny grains).

Finally, do moisturize but select products that are water based and oil-free. For acne-prone skins, moisturize lightly – your skin deserves it.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Back Pain - Is it arthritis?

Is Your Back Pain Caused by Arthritis?

It is natural for anybody suffering from back pain to attempt to find out the cause of the pain. However, due to the complexity of the spine, finding the correct answer is not often so straightforward. There are a host of reasons why you may be experiencing pain in your back and, in turn, many different kinds of ailments.

One of the most common diagnoses of back pain is arthritis and a qualified health care provider can help by proposing a number of remedial options. Currently, the medical industry is undertaking research to develop new remedies for the treatment of arthritis. In the meantime, here are some of the most practical methods of alleviating arthritic pain.

Treatment Methods

It is important that, when dealing with arthritis located in your back, to ensure that your mattress literally supports your back problem. By using a mattress most suited to your condition and which gives sufficient and proper back support, you are taking significant steps to reduce stress on your back muscles and joints.

A common mistake made by many people is not employing a correct posture when in a sitting position. Regardless of how long you are seated during the course of a day, it is most important to recognize the use of correct posture as a control to your arthritis problem.

Two main ways of achieving the correct support for your back when you are seated are:

1. Purchase a chair which offers strong back support, especially in the lower back region

2. Purchase a special cushion or insert which converts any chair into a supportive and comfortable seat.

For arthritis suffers looking for additional back support, soft back braces are an option and are especially useful in cases where the spinal cord has become destabilized because of arthritis.Using this type of brace can help to eliminate further back trauma in the future. However, consideration should be given to wearing a soft back brace over a prolonged period, as it can weaken the spine and its muscles and even hamper the healing process.

Another effective option in dealing with arthritis is some kind of traction device. Either a doctor or chiropractor should be consulted to ensure the proper style best suited to your condition is chosen and to safeguard against improper fitting.

Conclusion

Arthritis can be well managed by following any of the alternatives described above.Although most common suffers of arthritis are older adults, younger people must still be vigilant when it comes to back care. Arthritis does not discriminate against age or gender!

Vitamin B12 Sources

A unique feature of vitamin B12 is that unlike other vitamins, animal sources are the only reliable sources for its intake. Vitamin B12 is primarily found in meat, eggs, dairy products and fish.

A valuable source of vitamin B12 is calves’ liver (one pound per day), which contains such a high quantity of vitamin B12 that even people who lack the intrinsic factor can absorb this in sufficient amounts to prevent pernicious anemia (a disease caused by deficiency of this vitamin).

There is much controversy vis-à-vis the proposed plant sources of vitamin B12. Some findings suggest that fermented soya products, seaweeds (named nori), and algae such as spirulina all contain significant amounts of vitamin B12. However, analysis reveals that due to the presence of compounds structurally similar to vitamin B12, termed as B12 analogues, there is difficulty in distinguishing between the two forms and these cannot be utilized to satisfy dietary needs. The most prevalent view today is that plant sources of vitamin B12 are not likely to be available to humans and hence cannot be tagged as safe sources of the vitamin.

There is some question as to whether vegetarians and vegans acquire enough vitamin B12. They are at a risk of developing a deficiency syndrome because natural food sources of this vitamin are limited to animal foods. Hence, vegetarians are advised to include a rich intake of foods fortified with vitamin B12 within their diet schedule. Good sources of this vitamin are fortified cereals, dairy products like soya milk, free-range eggs and sunflower margarines. Strict vegetarians and vegans who do not even consume plant foods fortified with vitamin B12 need to consider taking a in a supplement that contains vitamin B12 either in oral or dietary form.

There are claims that vitamin B12 can be consistently obtained from nutritional yeasts. However, one should be aware that there is no substantial proof to validate such a claim.

Bacteria exclusively synthesize vitamin B12. Streptomyces griseus, a bacterium once thought to be a yeast, was once a source of vitamin B12. Now, the bacteria Propionibacterium shermanii and Pseudomonas denitrificans have replaced it as the latest commercial sources.

Some foods, along with their vitamin B12 content in micrograms (mcg), include

Crab (steamed), 3 ounces—8.8 mcg; Salmon (baked), 3 ounces—2.4 mcg; Rockfish (baked), 3 ounces—1.0 mcg; Beef (cooked), 3 ounces—2.1mcg; Chicken (roasted), 3 ounces—0.3 mcg; Turkey (roasted), 3ounces—0.3 mcg; Egg (poached), 1 large—0.4 mcg; Milk, 8 ounces—0.9 mcg; Brie (cheese), 1 ounce— 0.5 mcg.

The Cheapest Supplement In The World For Building Muscle

Bodybuilding supplements are one of the main things that those looking to gain muscle from their workout program place their hopes on.

Billions of dollars have been spent on workout supplements such as creatine, NO2, prohormones (when they were available), testosterone boosters, post workout shakes, and protein powder hoping to build muscle mass.

Most of these nutritional products can cost you anywhere between $15.00 to $70.00 a bottle / bucket, but the catch is that you have to buy several bottles / buckets for a one month's supply...so you are now easily spending hundreds of dollars per month on bodybuilding supplements!

Well, I'm here to inform you of something that is just as effective, if not more, than many of the most popular "muscle weight gain" supplements.

It's been around for centuries.

Everyone around you, including those that don't have a workout plan to build muscle weight, consume it everyday.

"Shops" that sell it are springing up all over the place.

You probably are already using it, but don't know the proper way to.

And if you don't buy the "name brand" or "popular brand" you can get it for pennies.

You probably already know what I'm getting at...

Coffee!!!

Now, before you start thinking "Coffee!! Geez. I thought Jonathan was going to tell me about some secret ingredient that no one seems to know about. I've been hearing about coffee for the longest. No new info here, Jonathan. Tell me something I don't already know!!", let me point out to you what coffee does and how to add it to your bodybuilding nutrition and workout routine.

Here's what coffee does:

1) Stimulates the nervous system, resulting in it being a powerful stimulant, which results in more alertness...exactly what you need for an intense workout. (Interesting how many bodybuilding supplements and "energy drinks" out on the market right now are specifically for "increasing workout intensity"...yet coffee does the same.)

2) It allows you to lift more weight / reps than when you don't drink coffee (before working out). (Again, some of the most expensive nutritional supplements claim to "instantly increase strength by 15%" or something like that).

3) It helps mask some of the pain associated with intense weight training.

4) It boosts the metabolism. (Once again, some of the top workout supplements are geared towards, guess what..."increasing the metabolism").

5) Allows the body to use more fat for energy. (Yup, you know it...billions of dollars are spent yearly on supplements that will "increase body fat utilization".)

And these are just some of the many things this wonder-drink accomplishes.

So, let me ask you, "Why in the world would you empty out your hard-earned bank account on products that give you the same effect that a good, old, strong cup of "java" or "joe" would give you?"

There have been many misleading "studies" published lately trying to criticize coffee consumption.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Trusting a New Weight Loss Diet

With all the gimmicks and dishonesty across the internet today it is easy to understand why a person may be skeptical when they find a new weight loss diet. So many people say "Lose 50 lbs in a week" or "Lose Weight Instantly". Some of us may have fallen for these gimmicks, just hoping and praying that somehow they have created a miracle solution to our weight problems. However, with some new weight loss diets, we know one thing for sure, if we could all lose fifty pounds in one week, no person in this world would be overweight or obese.

Now, how can you tell if a new weight loss diet, is worth your time, effort, or investment? While there is no sure fire way to tell there are some things you want to look for before you spend your hard-earned money on any new weight loss diet.

First, look at their promises. Are they realistic? If the program states that you can lose nine pounds every single day, that should be an alarm right there. It is unhealthy to lose that amount of weight on a daily basis and probably almost impossible to boot. Now if the program promises that you will lose nine pounds in two weeks or less, that is a little more logical. I would be more apt to believe the latter.

Then you want to look at their about us page, it may be named differently, but essentially look for a page that gives you information about the new weight loss diet. You want to look for what their mission is, their pledge, and make sure that you find some contact information. You want to look for a way to contact them with any questions. At the very least, you want the company name, address, email address, and telephone number. A contact page would work as well, as long as the other information is also provided.

You then want to look at all the features and options they give you for the price. Is it worth it? Are you going to get solid information about the new weight loss diet? What information are they giving you? Is it new information or is it something you can find anywhere you look? You want the new weight loss diet to give you a satisfactory reason as to why you should choose their program over all the others in the market.

Lastly, look for some testimonials of REAL people who have had success using their new weight loss diet. Telling real testimonials from fake is fairly simple, you want to see the first and last name, and some sort of identifying feature such as business, website, where they are from. Also look at the actual words, make sure that real people write the testimonials.

Getting Thin with Healthy Weight Loss

Healthy weight loss means losing weight in a way that is good for body, heart, and soul. Sure, there are many weight loss programs available on the market for you, but which ones are healthy and how do you know what is healthy and what is not. I mean for many of us that are overweight, we don't generally have an idea of what healthy weight loss would mean because we have lead lives with unhealthy habits.

As someone who was, at one point, sixty pounds overweight, I can say this with conviction. We become overweight because of our unhealthy choices. Maybe we were taught our bad habits, maybe we simply pick them up as we age, or maybe we know what we need to do to experience healthy weight loss, but lack the will power to get the job done.

In today's society, when we hear the phrase healthy weight loss, we immediately think of the negative things about diets. We consider diets that mean counting calories, who has the time for that right and this is not healthy weight loss. We consider diets that mean avoiding all the foods we enjoy such as low-carb diets, or the Adkins's diet, which again is not healthy weight loss. Here is something you should be considering however, healthy weight loss does not mean starving yourself, nor does it mean that you have to quit eating the foods you love.

What foods should you be avoiding?

Well the list is not all that long. Basically you want to avoid heavy salad dressings such as Ranch. Opt for something lighter such as Italian. You also want to avoid overeating when it comes to bread. You can eat a small sandwich, but avoid excess bread within your day. While we all love chocolate, even fat-free chocolate is unhealthy for our bodies. Find other type of fat-free methods of snacking because even fat-free desserts and cakes are not really good for you.

Stick to diet sodas and avoid sweet breakfast cereals at all costs. Breaded and fried foods should be avoided, as well as potato chips, French fries, and pizza. You see the things you should avoid are nothing that cannot be accomplished. While we may like these things, we know deep down that they are unhealthy choices to experience healthy weight loss.

Healthy weight loss simply means knowing what you should eat, what you shouldn't, and getting a little exercise in your day. I can virtually hear the collective cringes and sighs when that statement was read. Exercise is in an important aspect of healthy weight loss and maintaining the new lifestyle. However, you can get excited again now, because these exercises do not have to be the strenuous ones you have heard about.

Simply taking a light, somewhat leisurely walk everyday, or some other type of light, less intense form of exercise is all that is really needed. The thing to remember is that healthy weight loss does NOT mean punishing your body or yourself. It means instilling good habits into your everyday routine and maintaining those healthy habits, after you have achieved the healthy weight loss.

The Main Types of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one the most prevalent forms of cancer among the American population. Although inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyle considerably increase the risks of developing colon cancer, many forms of the disease occur on the premises of underlying genetic predispositions. Statistics reveal that more than 5 percent of colon cancers worldwide are caused solely by genetic dysfunctions and physiologic abnormalities. Depending on their underlying cause, colon cancers can be either acquired (sporadic colon cancers), or genetically-inherited.

Most cases of colon cancer occur due to formation of polyps in different regions of the large bowel (colon). Colonic polyps are prominent soft tissues that can easily become malignant. There are many different types of hereditary colon cancers and many of them are primarily caused by colonic polyps. The most common types of genetically-inherited colon cancers are adenomatous polyposis and Gardner’s syndrome. Non-polyposis colon cancer is also common among hereditary forms of the disease. Unlike other types of genetically-inherited colon cancers, non-polyposis colon cancer doesn’t always involve the formation of polyps. Uncommon forms of hereditary colon cancer are Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and juvenile polyposis.

Unlike non-hereditary forms of colon cancer, which are usually developed by people with ages over 50, hereditary colon cancers can occur in young people as well. In fact, some forms of genetically-inherited colon cancers are predominantly developed by very young children and teenagers.

People who have a family history of colon cancer should pay regular visits to an oncologist, as it is very important to timely reveal the signs of large bowel disease in order to maximize the chances of recovery. Discovered in its incipient stages, colon cancer can be effectively overcome through the means of surgical intervention or specific therapies. However, if colon cancer is discovered late, patients’ prognosis is generally uncertain.

Colonoscopy is a very common and reliable method of revealing traces of colon cancer in patients. Through the means of colonoscopy, doctors can quickly spot potential signs of abnormalities at the level of the large bowel. Colonoscopy is very useful in the process of diagnosing hereditary or sporadic forms of colon cancer, as it can easily reveal the presence of malignant colonic polyps or extended tumors. People who have blood-relatives affected by colon cancer are very exposed to developing the disease as well. Thus, they should receive frequent examinations with colonoscopy in order to timely discover signs of malignant activity at the level of the large bowel.

Both acquired (sporadic) and hereditary colon cancers are life-threatening diseases and they need to be discovered as soon as possible in order to minimize the risk of morbidity. Colon cancers have an unpredictable pattern of evolution and their development is strongly influenced by genetically-inherited abnormalities. While lifestyle improvements and healthy diet can diminish the risks of developing sporadic colon cancer, people with underlying physiological abnormalities of the large bowel are very vulnerable to developing hereditary colon cancer regardless of their actions.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Dental Implants Manhattan is the Answer to Replace Missing Tooth

Dental defects are something that hampers your social life to a great extent. You may set yourself aloof from the rest of the world, as you have a missing tooth or stained teeth or misaligned teeth or something else. Boycotting social life can develop some sort of inferiority complex in you. If you are suffering from missing tooth and facing social problem, then it is time to consult a dental surgeon. Dental implants are the best treatment that is being offered by various dental clinics in Manhattan and various other cities.

If the patient happens to reside in Manhattan or any other city, then dental implants can be opted to restore your denture. Smile is the most precious thing and it is hampered a lot due to dental problems. Dental implants are meant to enhance your smile and helps in regaining that lost confidence. Treatment of dental implants includes fixing of titanium roots in the jawbone. A special base is created for the artificial tooth, with bonding of titanium roots at the jawbone. After this step, metal crowns are created for artificial teeth. With the help of this treatment, you can replace a single tooth or the entire denture.

Accidents have been found to be one of the major causes for teeth loss among the public. Dental implants are a boon for such patients as they can be a part of the normal world despite the tooth loss. In fact, dental implants have enhanced the lifestyle of patients suffering from missing tooth. Implants are placed surgically in the jawbone and it is considered highly appropriate for curing dental defects. This treatment takes four to six months, but results are so great that it becomes difficult to differentiate between the artificial and real teeth.

Dental defects have always been a problem for many people. It is not just the social life that affects, you are not able to eat properly also. And if you are not eating properly, then your health will surely be affected. It seems that this thing is like chemistry’s equation that action is the result of a reaction. If you develop some dental problem, then it’s going to affect your health and lifestyle. It is an alarming situation that calls for dentist’s attention. You must take care of one thing that your dentist should be qualified and experienced enough to handle your case properly.

One of the best advantages of dental implants is that you can restore your smile and move around with confidence. This treatment gives highly beneficial results and improves the functioning of your teeth to a great extent. Demand for the treatment of dental implants has been increasing because people are becoming more and more health conscious. It is because of this reason that patients are on a constant look out for dentist to cure this problem. To contact a specialist is always better and safer because it is the matter of your health and life. Isn’t it?

Sunday, December 24, 2006

How to Choose a Drug Rehabilitation Center

According to Wikipedia.org, drug addiction is defined as “the compulsive use of psychoactive drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use.” Since drug addiction is a complex illness, it has so many dimensions and disturbs so many aspects of an individual's life, dealing with this ailment is anything but simple.

When a person is at a ‘no control’ stage, drug rehabs must help the person discontinue use of drugs and maintain a drug-free lifestyle, while gaining productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society. There are many reasons why a person would need to attend a drug rehabilitation program. Some of them are: the inability to control drinking or drug use, cutting themselves off from their friends and family, criminal offenses, and problematic behaviour at work. At such facilities, through therapy and education, the individual is helped to gain their former self. They are then able to become part of the society.

Now, let’s think about drug rehab centers and what images do you conjur? Resort-like facility or a strict hospital-like setting? Chances are, your perception does not cover the entire spectrum of drug treatment centers. Since there are several different types of drug rehabilitation programs available ranging from inpatient, outpatient, residential, short-term, and long-term, it helps to learn what’s out there and how to choose one. Here are a few :

First of all, gauge the situation by considering the following factors in the life of the individual who needs the drug treatment:

1. Age of individual
2. Insurance options
3. Type of drug used
4. History of criminal offenses if any
5. Friends and family support
6. Number of times the individual needed the treatment
7. Is the individual psychologically addicted and will they require complete behavioral alterations?
8. Will they have withdrawal symptoms?

After accessing the individual, you need to ask questions similar to the following to your physician, counselor and especially the drug treatment programs.

1. What types of medications are used in the treatment?
2. Which types of vitamins and/or natural treatments are used?
3. What is the counselor-to-patient ratio?
4. How do they medically manage withdrawal symptoms?
5. Test or assess infectious illnesses such as TB, HIV, Hepatitis etc.
6. Also, how long is the treatment program?
7. Are families involved?
8. What is the cost?

These and similar questions can help you find out more about the different drug treatment centers.

How do you access if the individual will need residential treatment programs? Residential treatments are geared toward those who have been addicted for a long time. These are usually longer programs and try to educate individuals to live in a drug-free community.

It is said that the best rehab programs are those that are structored to an individuals needs. This needs taking into consideration the individual’s race, age, culture, gender, employment, past drug history, criminal behavior and history of physical or sexual abuse. In choosing the drug treatment program, observe individuls within the drug program and notice their seriousness. It has been know that those who may have only tried a few drugs get more excited about trying other drugs when around serious drug users.

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