Prostate Cancer - Risk Factors

 

The Prostate is a small, walnut-shaped sex gland in men that produces the seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. The growth of the cells in the prostate gland is stimulated by the male sex hormone called testosterone. Possible consequences of treatment include erectile dysfunction and bladder control problems. Prostate cancer progresses very slowly and the early stages show little or no symptoms. A man’s vulnerability to prostate cancer increases with age.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

• Difficulty in Urination
• Urgency in Urination
• Dull persistent pain in lower pelvic area
• Painful Urination
• Frequent Urination
• Difficulty in Ejaculation
• Loss of Appetite 
• Weight Loss

Risk Factors:

• Age
• Heredity
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Fat Rich Diet
• Increased production of Testosterone

A routine screening test may reveal the beginnings of prostate cancer. A DRE (Digital Rectal Examination), which involves inserting a gloved finger into the rectum, helps the doctor to examine the prostate. Any change in shape or size of the gland may mean trouble. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test analyzes a blood sample for the levels of PSA. If a higher than normal level is detected, a prostate infection or cancer may be suspected. A transrectal ultrasound helps to further evaluate the prostate using sound waves. If initial tests produce positive results, a prostate biopsy may be done to verify the presence of cancer. If cancer is confirmed, the next step is to investigate the spread of the cancer. A bone scan, CT scan, and Ultrasound scan may be used for this.

The mode of treatment directly depends on how aggressive the cancer is. For most men, a combination of treatments (surgery, radiation paired with hormone therapy, chemotherapy) may prove effective.

The best way to reduce the risk from prostate cancer is to eat a diet rich in fiber and low in fat. Regular exercise also helps.

Back Massage Techniques

 Back Massage is one of the best ways through which you can relive yourself from back pain.

   

Benefits of Back Massage Techniques:

• Relaxation
• Increased Body Awareness
• Better Blood Circulation
• Improved Lymphatic drainage for release of toxins

     

Typically, during the back massage, a masseur uses massage oil to decrease friction created on the skin and to prevent the pulling of skin hair. The less the quantity of oil applied, the greater is the friction and deeper will be the pressure. Use light stroking movements throughout your massage to move from one area to another, to soothe an area of localized deep tissue or to make a transition to another stroke.

Step by Step methods of Back Massage:

• The person receiving the massage should lie down on his/her belly on a firm, comfortable surface, such as a floor mat or firm bed. Make sure that you the whole back of the massage receiver is comfortably within reach. Stand by the side of the person and place one hand on the lower back and the other between the shoulder blades, over the heart.
• Warm up the back by applying thumb pressure along both sides of the spine simultaneously: Start from the lower back and knead gently with your thumbs up to the neck area.
  
• Use a smooth, delicate stroke, called “effleurage”, to apply massage oil. In one long stroke, slide your palms down either side of the spine to the pelvis; scoop out around the hips and back up the sides to the shoulders. Maintain contact with the back. Move your hands over the back to start a new area. Continue up both sides of the neck to the base of the head.
• Starting at the spine, slide your palms in opposite directions outward to the sides of the back, starting with the lower back area, and moving up to the shoulders.
• Knead the fleshy muscular areas at the top of the shoulders, the mid-back area and the buttocks to loosen any tight muscles and fascia, which is a connective tissue.

Natural Way to Lower Blood Pressure

 

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, the vessels that carry blood away from the heart. It is normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate during the day. When it stays high, you have high blood pressure, or hypertension. This increased pressure puts a strain on your heart that could lead to a heart attack. It also affects other organs in the body like the kidneys and brain

Below are few ways to reduce Blood Pressure naturally:

1. Eating foods that are low in saturated fats, low in total fat, and low in cholesterol can reduce blood pressure. A well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy products should make up the majority of your eating plan. The lowered pressure effect of this dietary change is often the same as taking a blood pressure medication.

2. Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your chances of developing hypertension. The best way to control body weight is to eat less calories and exercise more. Proven calorie reduction techniques include eating smaller portions, using low fat or fat free products, and limiting sugar intake. Exercising just 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week can produce dramatic results. The physical activity can include anything like walking, bicycling, or gardening.

3. Reducing sodium in your diet is another way to keep the pressure down. or someone with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend 1.5 grams or less of sodium. Processed and pre-packed foods usually contain a high amount of sodium. After a high sodium meal, many people have a bloated feeling due to excess water retention. This extra volume increases the blood pressure.

4. Drinking an excess amount of alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also harms the liver, brain, and heart. Alcohol is also high in calories, which can that lead to weight gain.

An excellent resource for blood pressure reduction techniques is found at the National Institute for Health website at 

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html.

Gastritis and the Grumbling Stomach

                  

Gastritis is a common medical problem o the stomach. Ever felt abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constant hiccups? Then you might be one of the more than 10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with gastritis.            The stomach is an organ of the digestive systemf, located in the abdomen just below the ribs. Swallowed food is mixed with gastric juices containing enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The lining of the stomach called the Epithelium is layered with multiple folds. The epithelium is coated with mucus (gastric mucosa) secreted by special glands. Inflammation caused by gastritis occurs in this lining.      

Gastritis occurs when a bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori, or the chronic use of drugs or certain medications weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. This bacterium is also responsible for most peptic ulcers.

              

 

Gastritis is not just one disease but a group of conditions, all of which result in the inflammation of the stomach lining. This means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to an injury to the stomach. Commonly, the inflammation results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors such as traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers can also contribute to gastritis.

              Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions. It can be either acute, with severe attacks lasting a day or two, or chronic, with long term appetite loss or nausea.

Laser Treatment To Help You Quit Smoking

                  Laser Treatment to quit smoking is considered to be one of the most effective smoking cessation methods. This is the most modern or innovative method to be introduced in the recent study.

           

    The laser treatment method is based upon the old and simple principle. Every human body has certain points which are nerve centers and when these points are triggered it will help changes in the body. This principle is the base for many disciplines like Acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu and many more. The main logic here is, if you apply pressure to these points in the body, you can get predictable effects to the body and overall health.

             

This same principle is applied in the stop smoking laser treatment method as well. The low intensity laser beam is applied to those specific points in our body. The outcome of this is the almost immediate reduction of the cravings that accompany the smoking cessation. This way you can go go through first stages of quitting smoking without the cravings associated with them.

             

  Naturally speaking, reducing the cravings is not always enough, as there are many other aspects associated with it. Therefore, the laser treatment will go along well with behavioral therapy that will eliminate the psychological aspects of addition. The laser simply deals with the Physical Nicotine addiction.

             The laser treatment is very "Clean" and has no side affects unlike some of the medications people take to quit smoking.

Is Laser Treatment to quit smoking a good idea for you?

• It is quite expensive and prices vary. Also need to compare hospitals that provide this treatment.
• Some health insurance doesnt cover cost of this treatment, so check with health insurance.
• Plan to have combination of Laser Treatment along with behavioral therapy.
• Undergoing only laser treatment will not give good results in most of the cases.
• Last but not the least its YOU that really matters to actually quit smoking.    

          

 

Dealing with Depressions - Transforming your Thoughts

 

                                             “As a Man thinks in his heart so is he”.

       The great quote above means what you think about a situation quite inevitably what becomes of it. Therefore, its important in each and every situation our thinking should be Positive.

       

Mind is indeed the most powerful force in the world. Yoga specialists have stated that whoever can control the mind is indeed a powerful human being. That said, it is obvious that in coping with stress and dealing with depressive situations, one should make every step to think positively as perhaps the first weapon to combat negative challenges.

        

Thoughts have the innate ability of phenomenally materializing into what it is that is projected in your mind. To overcome Depression, we should all make attempts to change our mental habits to belief instead of disbelief as much as possible.

       

The feelings of worthlessness, doubt, pessimism, if we allow depressive thoughts to constantly permeate our minds, they could actually gain the ability to diffuse into our speech and actions. This could aggravate the very situations and challenges one is facing that may be causing depressive thoughts in the first place.

       The famous psychologist-William James quotes as below -

             “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking or challenging situation is the one thing that insures a successful outcome at the end”

       It means we must change our thought processes about our situations first, perform the actions that will lead us to and keep us on the path to success. Combining all three factors will greatly help in making sure each component (most importantly our thoughts) remains positively tuned towards overcoming our depression.

            

“Life’s problems are like knives, which either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle: Grasp a difficulty or problem by the blade and it cuts; grasp it by the handle and you can use it constructively”

The above quote explains entire situation in just two sentences.

7 Tips for Healthy Happy Long Life

         The super fast changing world and sedentary life style makes us often stressed up and we fall ill often. The Immunity level drops every time we fall ill. As the saying goes - "An ounce of prevention is always better than the pounds of cure".

Below are seven tips for healthy long life:

Get Enough Exercise:

            In the olden days people had to use their physical bodies for doing their routine normal work. In todays digital world everything is automatic right from eating, commuting and every task you do. There is hardly any physical exercise to your body. This physical inactivity is the main reason for all diseases. Sports, Running, walking and mild exercises added to our routine life will keep all illness at bay improving immunity.

Go to Sleep when you feel sleepy:

             Most people stay up late in the night even when their body says its time to sleep. Few people have the habit of staying active at the night and sleep all over the day. The students take coffee to stimulate their body to stay awake in the night. This habit takes toll on the health and is one of the main causes of developing diseases like Cancer etc.

Eat when you feel hungry:

            Appetite plays an important role in one persons health. Overeating against your body intake limits often leads to obesity or related diseases. Having an appetite is a sign of good health, however if you have no appetite, then forcibly eating is unhealthy always. Wait for sometime and then eat in small amounts.

Fasting on systematic Pattern:

            If your boss asks you to work for 365 days a year, you would get restless broken down and would ask for break to take rest. In the similar way, the digestive organs fail to work if you dont give some break for it. Periodic fasting is very much important for your digestive system to take rest and hence refrain from eating for one single day periodically. This will help digestive organs function better and eliminate all waste from body easily.

Wash with cool water before going to bed:

           As explained above, sleep is very important for overall health of your body. If you wash your important motor and sensory organs (hands, arms, eyes, legs etc) before sleep with cold water, will relax your body and help you in deep sleep.

Perform Meditation on regular basis:

           Your body is linked to your mind. Many of the diseases of this era are psychosomatic. Stress and anxiety take their toll on our physical health. Meditation is a mental exercise which, among other things, allows you to detach yourself from the worries of life. Learn a simple technique and do it regularly.

Get up Early every day:

          “Early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise.”  I don't know if it will make you wealthy but definitely healthy on the long run. Your body just needs enough sleep, not too much nor too less.

If everyone follows these above steps diligently, they would not have any major health issues in their lifetime.