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Archive for February, 2012

In the past, the treatment options for a particular disease were limited to only a few. With the advancements in medical science, we have scores of treatment options available for any disease.

The various treatment options available for breast cancer have increased in number too. Today there are many ways to combat and deal with breast cancer. They can be broadly classified into the following categories:

1. Surgery: Surgery has been the traditional mode of treatment for breast cancer. However, changes have taken place during recent times. The surgery now is more precise and is directed to the exact spot of the disease so that the damage to the unaffected area is minimized.

a. Lumpectomy: The cancerous lump is removed surgically without removing the surrounding lymph nodes.

b. Mastectomy: This is performed if the lump has become large or in case the cancer has spread to other areas. The affected breast is surgically removed.

c. Lymph Node Dissection: This is the surgical removal of lymph nodes. Usually done in case of invasive breast cancer, it is a procedure performed at the time of mastectomy or lumpectomy. During mastectomy, it is an extension of the breast incision (to the armpit area). If done during lumpectomy, a separate incision is performed in the armpit. A part or all of the lymph nodes are removed. Usually it also involves cutting the nerve carrying sensation to the area.

2. Radiation Therapy: Radiation is a highly targeted and effective way of treatment, which destroys the cancer cells. High levels of radiation are sent directly to the cancer cells. Radiation therapy undertaken after surgery can also kill those cancer cells that could not be treated by surgery. It can also be combined with chemotherapy, to relieve pain, or to shrink the tumor. It is short and relatively easy but side affects can also occur. The traditional radiation therapy is external in nature. Internal radiation therapy is also being experimented. In this process, radiation-producing substances are either implanted directly in to the tumor or injected through a tube.

3. Herceptin: Applicable only to women with HER2-positive breast cancer, it consists of an antibody, the primary role of which is blocking the HER2 protein in cancer cells. It is useful in cases where the breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Also known as immune treatment, it is approved by US FDA for women with metastatic disease.

4. Hormone Therapy: It is another effective treatment. It is useful for women having hormone receptive positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are more effective in women with post menopause and Tamoxifen in women with pre menopause hormone receptive positive breast cancer.

5. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy, or use of chemicals to treat a disease, is a systematic therapy. Since the use of chemicals affects the whole body by going through the blood stream, it is very effective as it can act on the cells, which are rapidly dividing. A major drawback in this mode of treatment is that the drugs act not only on the cancer cells, they act on healthy cells as well leading to various side-effects like losing hair, nausea, skin diseases and so on.

6. Alternative Therapies: In addition to the above modes of treatment, there are many alternative therapies as well e.g. yoga, acupuncture etc. Since sufficient research is not available in respect of such therapies, it is difficult to come to any decisive conclusion.

Since the disease conditions differ from patient to patient, the ideal treatment for an individual would depend on various factors. The best mode of treatment can be formulated with due consultation between the patient and the doctor.

A detox diet plan is one that removes possibly toxic substances from your body.

Pilates is one of the more popular methods to burn fat and lose weight as well as putting individuals in the right state of mind. It is a total mind body experience. This article discusses the reasons to choose Pilates to burn fat and lose weight over other methods.

What is Pilates?

Developed in the early 20th Century by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method is a physical fitness system that works the core. The system encourages the use of the mind to control the muscles.

As opposed to other fitness methods that encourage several repetitions of each exercise, Pilates encourages fewer and more precise movements while maintaining proper form and control.

There are also five major unique pieces of exercise equipment that were designed that are optional for the fitness workout. Pilates can be compared to yoga but it does not include the spiritual aspect.

The first Pilates Studio opened in 1926 in New York. It was originally used to restore injured dancers to their original form and to train them in flexibility and has gained popularity because it is very beneficial to all areas of our lives.

Pilates is excellent at getting our muscles in great shape which in turn boosts our metabolism which leads to more calories being burned per day. Have the weight reduction that you dream of with Pilates. It is also great at relieving stress and anxiety. If you suffer from panic and anxiety attacks, Pilates is highly recommended.

Pilates also boosts our immune systems and increases our balance and coordination. It is a total body and mind workout. Many users of Pilates state that they feel rejuvenated and refreshed after each session and not drained and exhausted as with most other exercise methods.

By focusing on the main postural muscles, this helps maintain proper form and keeps the body balanced. These postural muscles support the spine and when they are strengthened, in addition to keeping the body in proper alignment, they prevent the occurrence of back pain as well as alleviating any back pain currently being suffered.

We all know how crucial our backs are and Pilates exercises far above any other system strengthen our backs which helps to prevent injury. Back pain can be debilitating and incorporating Pilates helps us prevent and cure back pain and injury.

Although the Pilates equipment can be used during the sessions, Pilates mat exercises have been proven to be just as effective and are often easier for people to master especially in the comfort of their homes without any further training or personal trainer required.

An Allergy is a disorder of the immune system. The person with allergies tends to have allergic reactions to things that are normally harmless to other people. These things are referred to as allergens. Allergies are a very common condition. While the immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses, it also reacts to these allergens which as stated before, are usually harmless to most people and do not create a problem.

However, in the person with allergies the immune response tends to be overly sensitive. And so, when it recognizes an allergen, it will release certain chemicals such as histamines, which fight off the invading allergen. This in return causes itching, swelling, rashes, mucus formation, and other symptoms which vary from person to person.

Allergic reactions can be caused by anything from bug bites to cosmetics to sunlight. Some of the most common allergens are pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander. While environmental factors do play a major role, allergies may also be genetic. If both of your parents have allergies, you will more than likely have allergies.

The main goal of allergy treatment is in preventing the symptoms from occurring in the first place. This typically includes avoiding the allergen, whether the cause be foods, pets, insects, or chemicals. Avoiding certain specific foods such as peanuts can be difficult because they are quite common. That means a person with food allergies needs to very closely follow a diet free from the particular type of food, and also know how to properly handle an allergic reaction.

In the home environment, some steps can be taken to reduce indoor allergens. For instance, your bedding can be covered with a casing to reduce your exposure to dust mites. Regular vacuuming of carpets, and possibly even the removal of your carpet altogether can be helpful in reducing dust and other allergens.

If your goal is to reduce the growth of organisms such as mold, take steps to insure that the humidity levels in your home environment are kept to a minimum. And fix any leaks that could lead to moisture buildup. Regular house cleaning can also aid in dust reduction. It’s also a good idea to have a high quality dust filter over your heating and cooling air ducts. Many of these filters can trap very small microparticals including dust and pet dander.

For things like allergies and asthma, prevention is key.

Food being a basic necessity in human beings it is also basic in all of their activities. For a healthy body, food is of paramount importance. The erotic power of food is revealed through our sex lives. Centuries have passed since the celebration of power of food started. The famous Casanova was kind enough to share oysters with his paramours to hone their appetites in sex. It is also said that, according to the Greek and roman cultures people were supposed to enjoy exotic dishes and parade of sweet ripe fruits before engaging in sex. It is true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. A delicious meal has the power of unlocking the insides of a man’s (woman’s) heart. The sweet taste in food brings out the romantic mood. By the way, what would courtship be without dates for romantic dinners? A healthy sex diet is the key to a lifetime of sexual pleasures.

Food for sexual pleasure is a phenomenon which should be used by serious lovers. Food and nutrition is a discipline which plays a vital role in our sex lives. The quality in a healthy sex diet has a lot to do with how we perform and respond sexually. Nutritious foods rejuvenate sexual function, improve the libido and enhance the general body health. This is even made better if the food is served in a sensual way. This is where many wives go wrong since most of them serve the food with sulky faces. The food lacks the sexy touch if it is not served in the right sensual mood.

The diet required for a powerful sexual pleasure include wide variety of wholesome, fresh ripe fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins can also be added to spice up the healthy sex diet. The lean proteins should not exceed 30% of the consumed daily calories. Fruits and vegetables make a beneficial part of the diet since they maintain the organ’s maximum energy. The organs are well kept in their peak condition which is crucial for wonderful sexual involvement. Some foods are good at arousing the body sexually while others decrease sexual functionality. Sauces rich in cream and fried fare dishes leaves a person feeling less sexy and more sluggish. You should also be aware that additives such as excessive salt, sugar, very saturated fat and processed food are associated to frigidity. They are also linked to lack of interest in sex and hardships in reaching orgasm. Avoid alcohol ,tobacco, coffee usage all the time. They dampen sexual spirits.

Ever wondered why chocolate is so much associated with love? Yeah, it is because it offers healthy sex diet. Chocolate contains phenylalanine which is an amino acid responsible for raising hormone endorphins (the feel good hormone). It is a natural antidepressant which kills mild depression and relieves headache. A Few bars of chocolate can increase libido therefore providing stunning and tantalizing prelude to sexual intercourse. To enhance your sexual pleasure choose fresh foods that increase sexual vitality.

Do you go home after a hard day at work or after a hard day with the kids and eat something even when you are not really hungry? Doing this time and time again could end up putting you into a serious health situation after a long period of time.

One place you may end up is the bariatrics center at one of your local hospitals. This may be avoided with the right behaviors if you are willing to take control and find something to replace that habit. Stress is everywhere you look these days. It doesn’t have to be an angry boss or a nagging spouse to put you over the edge. Just the fact of driving every day in and out of rush hour traffic and having to deal with people who are talking on their cell phones or who are in a hurry and weaving in and out of traffic just to get one car length ahead of you is enough to raise your blood pressure and elevate your stress level.

On top of that if you do have an angry boss or a nagging spouse, you may be for a real stressful day. The irony is that eating to relieve stress may actually also cause more stress. It may be a never ending cycle, like a merry-go-round, it’s hard to get off once it starts.

What are some of your options to avoid putting on a few pounds and the possibility of heart disease or and heart bypass surgery? You may be saying this might sound extreme but the reality is heart disease and gaining weight can go hand in hand due to the fact that often times you aren’t taking care of the rest of your bodies needs if you are gaining weight and that fat builds up inside your body like it does on the outside.

So what can you do to find out which option is right for you? First you might want to talk to your doctor so you don’t overdo it at first.

An exercise program that is right for you is a good start. This will not only help you relieve the stress it may give you something to do instead of eating. For instance, you may do your exercising right after work instead of going home and avoid the temptation of eating because you won’t find your refrigerator at the gym.

Other options may include yoga, meditating, Tai Chi or any form of meditative exercise combination. Again, these may replace your need for something to eat. If you live in Illinois you can find out more options by locating hospitals in Illinois with programs or by finding Illinois healthcare for tips on programs available in your area. If you’re outside of Chicago you may look into Bourbonnais Illinois healthcare facilities to locate assistance in your area. It’s not all work to get this under control, it may even be fun once you get into a program that not only helps you release the stress of the day but also gives you a brighter outlook on life.