Archive for January, 2009
Two studies of Glucosamine and Chondroitin (G/C) used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) have yielded similar conclusions: the popular supplements do not effectively treat OA.
Although the pills, separately or in combination, contain compounds found in cartilage, it is doubtful that these substances can build new cartilage. Osteoarthritis involves wear and tear on the joints. Cartilage cushions and protects joints such as knees. When this cushion wears away, joint pain and disability result.
The first Glucosamine/Chondrodroitin Intervention Trial (GAIT) included 1,600 participants who had knees affected by osteoarthritis. One group of patients was given G/C supplements for pain relief, while others received the proven pain reliever celecoxib (Celebrex), and a placebo group got sugar pills. Those taking Celebrex noted the greatest improvement. A tiny segment of patients taking the combination supplement reported more pain relief than the placebo group, but they were statistically insignificant. Also, in the small group, placebo users claimed as much pain relief as those taking Celebrex, which casts further doubt on the supposed benefits of G/C.
In the second GAIT study, researchers used x-rays to measure physical effects of G/C supplements and other treatments on knee joints. They analyzed knee images from 357 persons with OA to determine if the supplements prevented loss of joint space. (Bones get closer together as the cartilage erodes.) They found no meaningful differences among people taking G/C, Celebrex, or placebo. Glucosamine and Chondroitin users had worse results when taking combination pills than when each was taken alone, but differences were again insignificant and no better than a placebo.
Despite the most recent confirmation that these supplements are ineffective, many will continue to take them. OA is painful, and it is difficult to get relief. Those who believe they are being helped could try about 1,500 mg a day of glucosamine alone – the most promising dosage. Well-designed studies which are independent of supplement manufacturers have not been able to prove G/C works. Pills can cost $30 or more a month – a lot of money for what could be a placebo effect.
Source: Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50; February 2009; blog article by Anna Dabney
January 31st, 2009
A study at the University of Minnesota indicated that persons who gave one of their kidneys lived a normal life span and were as healthy as those in the general population. The four-decade study of 3,700 donors is the largest, longest study to examine long-term outcomes. Having one kidney did not raise the risk of kidney failure later in life. Rates of kidney failure were found to be even lower in donors than in the general population.
Findings were published in the January issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. A transplant surgeon from the University Maryland, not involved in the research, greeted the news with enthusiasm. He called this study “a confirmation that living donation is a safe thing.â€
Most former donors tested in this study showed good kidney function and enjoyed an excellent quality of life. Researchers attributed their good, long-term outcomes to the rigorous screening criteria originally used to pick donors. Those who elected to give a kidney were required to be healthy and have no kidney problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. The last two factors are main causes of kidney disease.
Kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from blood. Patients with kidney failure have only two options:Â dialysis or a kidney transplant. The national waiting list is long, with more than 78,000 waiting for a donor with the right matching characteristics. Today, with the rising incidence of obesity and diabetes, the need for donor kidneys has climbed dramatically.
Researchers recognize the sacrifice made by kidney donors. Their generosity of spirit will not go unrewarded if at some time in the future the kidney donor needs a transplant. Those individuals would be given priority on the waiting list.
Study donors were primarily white and younger than the donors of decades later. Results found in this group may not apply to populations donating a kidney today. The main value of this reassuring study is its large size and duration. Living donation has increased in recent years as more people have become willing donors and newer surgical techniques have shortened recovery time. In 2007, nearly 17,000 kidneys transplanted in the U.S. came from living donors.
Source:Â original article by Stephanie Nano, Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle and Oakland Tribune on January 29, 2009. (blog article by Anna Dabney)
January 29th, 2009
terine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
Causes behind Uterine Cancer
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
Treatment of Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 27th, 2009
An “Early Stage†breast cancer is sometimes referred as Stage 1 breast cancer. In such cases, the affected region is less than 2–2.5 centimetres in diameter. However, cancer does not spread inside the tissue of the breast. In fact, among all the women detected for breast cancer in the U.S, 63% of them suffer from “Early Stage†Breast Cancer, as it is still localized to the tissue of the breast.
Today, Breast Cancer is considered to be one of the most deadly and emotional types of cancers occurring in women. However, it should be kept in mind that it is not only women, who are at a risk of having breast cancer. Men can also have such type of cancers, but most patients are female.
Early detection increases chances of survival
If the breast cancer is an early stage one and it is properly detected and treated, the survival rate of that patient increases to a large extent. The best trick to fight breast cancer is to catch it early on and generally women can detect it by finding a typical lump in any one of their breasts. Women should immediately check out in such cases but they should not worry, as all lumps are not cancers.
Early stage breast cancer cannot always be cured, even though cancerous cells are unable to reach the lymph nodes. Women, who catch early stage breast cancer, gets treated at that point and many of them are able to enjoy life in a normal lifestyle for more than ten years. It is highly recommended for every woman to check her breasts regularly to be on the safe side, so that possible cases of breast cancers can be detected early. With proper treatment, women can enjoy high survival rates.
Symptoms of Early Stage Cancer
An early stage breast cancer can be detected on the basis of various symptoms. Some of them are unexpected abnormal changes in the anatomy & the size of the breast, appearance of the skin of the breast becomes dimpled & puckered, sudden unexpected changes in the size and shape of the nipple like the changing position and nipple being inverted. Other symptoms include abnormal discharge from the nipple, development of rash in the nipple, continuous pain in the region of armpit & breast, thickening or formation of the lump in the armpit & breast and swelling of the collarbone region & armpit.
Treatment following the detection
Any of the above symptoms determine an early stage breast cancer and any woman having such symptoms should immediately contact her general physician. Doctors examine the patient properly and if necessary, can refer them to a breast clinic for more examinations and mammogram. Upon detection of a lump, the cancerous cells can be extracted with the help of a delicate needle. A biopsy should also be done to ascertain, if the affected area or lump is malignant.
Every woman should know how to do self-examination of her beasts, so that she can know her breasts easier and recognise abnormal changes on them.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 25th, 2009
A mammogram is one of the safest ways that is used to check if there is any problem with the breast of a woman. It is actually an x-ray of the breasts, as it involves in using a special and very low dose x-ray machine taking pictures of both breasts.
Effective Method of Preventing Cancer
Mammogram is an effective way of breast cancer prevention, as it is the most reliable procedure to detect early stages of breast cancer. However, there are some limitations of mammogram. Many cancers may not be detected by mammograms. Such breast cancers can be detected by breast self-exam. This article will guide you in getting ready for your mammogram.
What You Should Watch Out For?
Firstly, you should check the place where you are going to have your mammogram, so that you get to know about any special instructions, which you must follow before you arrive there. You should make the appointment for your mammogram for at least one week after the completion of your period. This is because your breast generally hurt less during this time. You should make sure that you tell your mammography facility, if you have ever got any type of breast implants.
Things to Remember Before Visiting Mammogram Facility
It is better that you wear a shirt preferably with shorts, skirt or pants. This helps you to undress from the waist up, thus leaving your pants, skirt or shorts on while you are getting your mammogram. It is highly advised that do not use any sort of deodorant, lotion, powder or lotion on your breasts or under your arms on the day you are having your mammogram.
Using these things may result in shadows on your mammogram, as they contain small aluminium particles. You can use cornstarch in place of talcum powder or deodorant, as it does not interfere with the x-ray image. You should not use any sort skin lotions on your breasts, as it can make them slippery. Hence, it will result in a movement during the process and a blurred image may be produced.
What Actually Happens During the Diagnosis Process?
After reaching the clinic, you should undress up to your waist. Try wearing clothes that can be easily removed and has loose fittings. Do not wear a bra on the day. Do not forget to take a hairbrush, so that you can tidy up at the time of redressing. After undressing, you will be asked to put on the hospital gown, opening to the front. The technician will help you in positioning yourself in front of the mammogram machine while standing. While taking the mammogram, your technician will rest each of your breasts on a metal plate, arranging maximum of the breast tissue between the top compression plate and the bottom plate. Your breasts will then be imaged and compressed for various lateral and vertical images.
It is recommended that women, especially those belonging to the upper age limit of 40 years or more, have a mammogram of their breasts done every year. This helps in early detection of breast cancer in one’s breast and ensures proper treatment, which can even cure cancer.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 23rd, 2009
One of the most prominent cases of cancer in women, which we hear today, is breast cancer. Cases of breast cancer have increased at an alarming rate and therefore, it is very important that we know the exact signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women are the worst victims of this breast cancer, but men are also reported to suffer from this deadly disease.
Breast cancer can be cured in cases when women catch that they are having breast cancer in very early stages when the cancer is unable to reach the lymph nodes. In fact, 80% of all the women suffering from breast cancer are fully cured and they enjoy life as a normal person provided they are treated in the early stages of breast cancer.
Catch the Disease at an Early Stage
The best way to survive from cases of breast cancer is to catch it early on. For this, a woman should regularly perform breast self-exam of her breasts. This helps in finding and detecting breast cancer in the early stages ensuring that with proper treatment, it can be cured. A woman should perform self-exam of her breast regularly, so that she knows how her breasts normally feel. She can easily locate, if there is any sort of change in the anatomy of her breasts in future. This helps in improving the chances for her survival and eliminating the risks of breast cancer.
Consult Your Physician Immediately
As soon as you notices change in your breasts by performing self-exam, you should immediately contact your general physician or healthcare provider. Although most lumps or breast changes are found to be non-cancerous, such preventive measures can help you in determining the exact reason behind the abnormality of your breasts.
Fix a Time for Self-Exam
Every woman should conduct regular self-exam of her breasts. It is recommended that she does it every month and particularly after a few days before her period ends. This is because during that particular time, a woman’s breast is found to be less swollen or tender. Doctors also say that a woman should perform self-exam of her breast at the same time of every month, so that she notices exact changes.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
While performing a self-exam of your breasts, you should immediately contact your doctor if you notice any sort of abnormal lump. Again, you should consult them if any of your breasts shows some other symptoms like nipple retraction or skin irritation, skin dimpling & skin irritation, watery discharge from the nipple and redness on the breast skin or nipple.
Benefits of Regular Self-Exam
Regular self-exam ensures that a breast cancer is found early and there are more treatment choices for the affected person. Woman having breast cancer in the early stages have a better chance of recovery, as the cancer is unable to affect the lymph nodes.
It is very important that every woman perform regular self-exam of her breasts, so that the breast cancer can be detected and treated as early as possible.
To Your Health!
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
January 22nd, 2009