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Important diagnostic and treatment info for patients
It's easy to assume the worst when hearing about cancer, but with one type, there's good news. There has been a marked decrease in deaths from skin cancer. This can be attributed to many things, such as better research and tougher treatments. These are the reasons why a world without skin cancer is looking more likely
We Know a Lot About It
A higher survival rate for people with skin cancer wouldn't be possible if there hadn't been so much done to better understand this disease. Not only do we know how to treat it, but we also know how to prevent it. There are exams that people can get for irregularities on their bodies, such as moles. When skin cancer is detected earlier, the chances of survival are far greater. We're still a long way from understanding everything about it and how to cure it, but the progress thus far is considerable. If you're looking to enter the medical world, a career in dermatology will put you on the front lines of the fight against skin cancer.
New Treatments
A single-use method of curing skin cancer across the board doesn't exist, but there's a mix of different approaches that can help people and more to come with new research. If something has been caught early enough, it could be removed with freezing. There also are surgical options. Mohs surgery has been proven to be more effective on some cancers. With this surgery, a doctor methodically removes pieces of skin, stopping once there are no signs of cancer. Other sorts of treatment for skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation treatment. There's also immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of your immune system. This type of treatment can be especially helpful for anyone who's dealing with an especially difficult case of skin cancer that isn't taking to previously discussed methods of treatment.
Awareness
Every May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month is commemorated. As with any other disease, awareness takes the stigma out of skin cancer while also helping those coping with it. You can do your part by giving money to skin cancer research, reading about this illness and speaking with people who have been diagnosed with it. Twenty percent of people can expect to be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70, so awareness shouldn't be considered optional. Treating your skin right is the best way to fight skin cancer. This means using sunscreen constantly and avoiding harmful practices, like using tanning beds.
Although skin cancer hasn’t been completely eradicated yet, its days are numbers. Medical researchers are constantly discovering new and more effective ways to prevent and treat this disease. And as the research progresses, the number of cases will fall even further.
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 A spinal cord injury can be very serious and can have a significant impact on your life. In order for your body to heal properly, it’s important to give it the rest it needs. If you experience this type of injury, there are a few different things you can do to speed up the healing process, but you should proceed with caution. If you’re not careful, you could exacerbate the injury. Here are a few safe treatment options you should consider if you want to heal more quickly. ChiropractorAccording to the Robert Pahlke Law Group, after a spinal cord injury, it’s important to talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the different options you have for recovery and modifications you might need to make to your lifestyle. Chiropractic care is something that is frequently used for many different kinds of injuries but can be especially helpful for your spine health. Chiropractors specialize in spine health and can get your body back into alignment. This is a natural way to help relieve some of the pain that you’re experiencing, speed up recovery, and help you prevent future injuries from occurring Physical TherapyThere are a number of specialized techniques that a physical therapist will use when you are coming to them with a spinal cord injury. In general, you will start out with some simple and light activities and workouts. You could start with something basic and low-impact, such as stretching. Your physical therapy plan of action will change incrementally as you start to heal. However, it’s important to not do too much too quickly, as you can easily injure yourself further if you’re not careful. Your therapist will help you work your way back up to a normal level of activity. AcupunctureAcupuncture is an alternative therapy that has been performed as part of the Chinese culture for a very long time. It can be used for a spinal cord injury to regenerate neurons. According to Flint Rehab, it can also promote healing within the body, which can result in increased motor function after your spinal cord injury. After a spinal cord injury, it’s common for many to people experience a deterioration in motor function. Acupuncture can help prevent this from occurring. Of course, you should always speak to your doctor before you use any kind of complementary therapies for your spinal cord injury. You want to ensure that you’re not going to do more damage to your body. As long as your doctor signs off on chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture, you can use those treatments as tools to speed your healing. Here’s another article you might enjoy: 3 activities to help you move safely after knee surgery
 Important info on the multiple possible causes of that pain that bugs you! Ear pain can be a source of significant discomfort. Due to the many nerves that are clustered in the area, ear pain can sometimes persist for days and be beyond the aid of common over-the-counter painkillers. Some causes of ear pain may require the assistance of medical professionals; others can be solved by yourself. Here are three of the most common causes of ear pain. Dental IssuesSome of the most common causes of ear pain are dental issues. According to Alpine Dental, cavities, impacted molars, abscesses, infections and jaw problems can lead to earaches that seemingly don't go away. Persistent jaw pain may be a sign that you should pay a visit to the dentist. Even if you don't believe you have any cavities, the pain may be coming from a source that is not visible to you, such as a wisdom tooth that is pushing against its neighboring teeth at an abnormal angle. Only a dentist capable of taking an X-ray of your mouth can show you what is happening under the gums. EarwaxEarwax is a natural substance produced by your ear to keep out bacteria, dirt, and water. Earwax is normally created in the ear canal and gradually pushed into the outer ear by the hair inside your ear. However, sometimes too much earwax is produced. One of the most common ways people deal with earwax is to clean it with a cotton swab. Unfortunately, this method will only push your earwax deeper into the canal, and can even be dangerous, according to ENT Orlando. Cotton swabs should only be used lightly around your outer ear to brush off dead skin and loosen ear wax. You can use hydrogen peroxide, diluted vinegar or mineral oil to loosen the buildup of wax in the ear and let it drift out normally. Air PressureNormally, the air pressure inside your inner ear is roughly the same as the pressure in the outer ear. However, according to Virtua Health, rapid acceleration can quickly destabilize that equilibrium. For example, if you're on a roller coaster, you may feel increasing pressure inside your ear until your ear pops and the pressure recedes. However, there are some instances where you might need to take a more active approach to relieve air pressure. Frequent air travelers often experience ear pain while travelling by plane. The rapid acceleration at takeoff can create a painful buildup of air pressure inside your ear that your body cannot adjust to quickly. In this case, a common remedy is to force your ear to pop by swallowing or chewing gum in order to stimulate frequent swallowing to keep your ear tubes open and air available to your inner ear. Other causes of ear pain may be a lot more serious than the ones described above. If your ear pain comes with signs of infection, such as a fever, rash or sore throat, and it doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, you should seek medical attention. Read about more health IDEAS: 3 Home “Remedies” That Just Don't Work KEYWORDS
Nearly 16 million people in the United States are currently living with a COPD diagnosis, and millions more don’t know they have it. In people with COPD, the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs become partially blocked, which makes it increasingly difficult to breathe. If left undetected, the disease can greatly affect your quality of life and your ability to complete even ordinary daily activities.Are Your Lungs Trying to Tell You Something?
(Family Features) Do you get short of breath doing daily activities? Feel like you’re unable to take deep breaths? Are you constantly coughing or wheezing? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, potentially devastating lung disease also known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Though it’s easy to think of these symptoms as just part of “getting older’’ or as problems that come with allergies, often they are not. Nearly 16 million people in the United States are currently living with a COPD diagnosis, and millions more don’t know they have it. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. In people with COPD, the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs become partially blocked, which makes it increasingly difficult to breathe. If left undetected, the disease can greatly affect your quality of life and your ability to complete even ordinary daily activities. COPD often occurs in people who have a history of smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke and other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, and dusts from the environment or workplace. The chances of getting COPD also increases significantly in people who have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic condition. While COPD develops slowly and worsens over time, its symptoms can be treated and its progression can be slowed, which is why early detection and treatment are so important. If you are noticing any issues with your breathing, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for COPD. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin. Your provider will design a treatment plan to help address your symptoms and improve your lung function and quality of life. The key to keeping COPD at bay – or preventing it from getting worse – is to understand and recognize the signs and symptoms early and discuss them with your health care provider. The sooner this happens, the sooner you can get back to doing the things you love. Through educational efforts like the Learn More Breathe Better program (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/breathebetter ), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute shares valuable information about the symptoms of COPD, as well as how to diagnose and treat it. With these tools, those living with COPD can effectively manage the disease, and those who have symptoms can find the support and assistance they need.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images SOURCE:National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Diane Sandoval, Breast Cancer Survivor and Fighter
(BPT) - As a commercial airline pilot with nearly 30 years of experience, Diane Sandoval, 50, is no stranger to making difficult decisions. However, she faced one of her toughest challenges not in the skies, but when she discovered a small lump in her left breast during a self-examination. Her worst fear was confirmed after a visit to her doctor when she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Following an inconclusive mammogram and ultrasound, Sandoval learned she had several small tumors. She underwent a mastectomy to remove the tumors followed by breast reconstruction, putting her piloting career on pause. The next big question was whether she should receive chemotherapy or not. Her physician recommended a genomic test — the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test. This tool has been proven to determine whether chemotherapy will be beneficial for individuals recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The test provides a personalized score based on the biology of the patient’s tumor that can help tailor treatment decisions for their individual cancer. Recent results from the largest breast cancer study ever conducted, called TAILORx, confirmed that the test clearly identified the 70 percent of women with early-stage breast cancer who receive no benefit from chemotherapy, as well as the remaining 30 percent of women for whom chemotherapy can be life-saving. Sandoval is one of the nearly 1 million women who has put chemotherapy to the test with this genomic test. Her score confirmed that her risk of experiencing a breast cancer recurrence was low and she would not benefit from chemotherapy. As a result, she felt confident that she could forgo chemotherapy and its associated side effects. Subsequently, she was able to resume her career as a pilot and her active lifestyle. She recently joined a campaign called “Put Chemo to the Test” to raise awareness of the Oncotype DX test and encourage women recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer to ask their doctor to order it before finalizing their treatment plan. “I hope to help women with early-stage breast cancer better understand their treatment options by raising awareness of this test and how it can determine whether they are part of the majority of patients who may be spared chemotherapy and its well-known side effects or are among the important minority of patients who could receive life-saving benefit from chemotherapy,” said Sandoval. One in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. The treatment of invasive breast cancer should be personalized because what is best for one woman may not be right for another. If you have breast cancer, it's important to take an active role in your health by learning about your available treatment options. An ongoing, collaborative discussion with your doctor is key in determining what treatment option best fits your individual needs. Below are a few questions to ask your doctor:
Breast cancer patients and caregivers can visit ChemoYesorNo.org to download the full physician discussion guide and learn more about the test. “I want women who were recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer to know that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment approach,” said Sandoval. “The test gave me the confidence I needed to forgo chemotherapy, which has allowed me to continue to enjoy my life with my husband. Ask your doctor to order this genomic test before finalizing your treatment plan.”
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A typical course of action for people who are feeling a little under the weather is to visit a doctor who will prescribe one or more medications for them. However, more people are turning to home remedies when they need relief from minor illnesses. Some physicians are even willing to prescribe natural products, herbs, and certain types of food for patients who suffer from chronic maladies. When fending off minor illnesses, there are a number of home remedies you might wish to try before resorting to pharmaceuticals.
Kiwi Fruit Eating kiwi for dinner may be the remedy you need if you find it difficult to sleep at night. Studies have shown that eating a kiwi or two an hour before turning in for bed at night can result in sleep that is both deeper and longer in duration. One reason kiwi is likely to aid with sleep is its high serotonin content. A lack of serotonin has been correlated with insomnia. In addition, kiwi is rich in folate, which is also needed for healthy sleep patterns. Cloves Cloves possess a compound known as eugenol that has both antibacterial and anesthetic properties. These qualities make clove an excellent selection to numb the pain of a toothache and reduce the swelling and puffiness from infection. Cloves are rich in antioxidants, and their antimicrobial properties help to clean the affected area around the tooth. Cloves are not the only food that can be used to treat a toothache. There is an array of other natural antibiotics for tooth infections that you can try before resorting to seeing a dentist, especially if you are trying to save money. Apples The best way to avoid acid reflux is to avoid items like fried food, high-fat beef, and sodas. One food you should add to your diet if you are prone to acid reflux is apples. Eating an apple or two a day will provide you with enough pectin to benefit from the acid-absorbing properties of the compound. Apples also contain tartaric and malic acids, which will fight against juices from the stomach that flow in an upward direction. Sweeter apples like organic red ones are the best choice to lessen the symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). They're considered an alkaline food option. Both patients and traditional medical practitioners have become more aware of the positive benefits of using organic food for medicine. The three foods mentioned above have proven their usefulness at combating specific illnesses. You might find them a great substitute for pharmaceutical medications. Looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle? We recommend this article next!
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Before the use of the internet, people had to find their own remedies for common problems. Therefore, if something appeared to work, those secrets were passed down through the ages. Today, many of those “solutions” have been debunked and proven ineffective. Some work effectively, but the majority don’t. Before you jump into crafting up a ridiculous DIY home remedy, check out these three that should be avoided.
Wound Treatments Whenever you find yourself with a wound, it’s no doubt that you’re also looking for the quickest route to recovery. However, the most effective treatment is not something that you can whip up in your kitchen. For example, an old wives’ tale is to put a raw egg over a burn. Don’t do it! Raw eggs are filled with bacteria that will just seep right into your skin. You may have also heard that licking a wound can help it heal. People have said for ages that a dog licking your wound helps it heal, so why would your own saliva be any different? Again, just don’t do it. Your mouth is filled with bacteria. While healthy skin won’t have any issues, an open wound is a sensitive area. Avoid causing infection by overloading your raw flesh with potentially harmful bacteria. Tooth Whitening With so much emphasis on beauty in this world, many people turn to whitening their teeth. If you’re looking for a cheap approach, you may have heard to try brushing with baking soda or rinsing with hydrogen peroxide. Sure, these methods may seem like they work in the short-term. In order to even make a dent in your quest, you’ll have to use peroxide for at least two weeks. Alternatively, charcoal has gained traction to lighten up your teeth. Dentists actually warn that charcoal and other abrasives are highly dangerous to teeth. In addition to potentially destroying your tooth enamel, charcoal can settle into your gums and cause irritation, and it doesn't help cavities. Leave the teeth whitening to the professionals and see your dentist. You’ll be able to have your teeth cleaned while still ensuring the safety of your fragile smile. Cold Remedies When you’ve got a cold, you want it to go away as quickly as possible. Your great-grandmother may have suggested rubbing mustard on your chest or holding your head over a bowl of hot water. Well, typically, these remedies don’t work. In many cases, over-the-counter medications can also make things worse. There is no quick relief from a cold, unfortunately. Like any virus, it just has to run its course. Instead of wasting time and money on ridiculous remedies, make sure you’re sipping plenty of fluids and resting your body. In most situations, home remedies simply don’t work. It’s always best to deal with your problems with a trained professional, such as a dentist for your teeth. Take care of yourself, and don’t make your issues worse! Here’s another article you might like: 5 ways to care for and comfort your sick child
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Stroke is often thought of as something that happens to older people, but more people under 50 are having strokes due to increased risky behaviors, such as smoking and untreated high blood pressure. In recognition of World Stroke Day, consider these five tips to help reduce your risk of stroke and maintain mental sharpness as you age.
Tips to Improve Wellness and Prevent Stroke
(Family Features) Stroke is often thought of as something that happens to older people, but more people under 50 are having strokes due to increased risky behaviors, such as smoking and untreated high blood pressure. Strokes don’t discriminate, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke. They can happen to anyone, at any age. About 1 in 4 people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. However, up to 80% of first strokes may be prevented. “Healthy habits can protect and improve brain function and lower your stroke risk,” said Dr. Lee Schwamm, MD, American Stroke Association volunteer chairman and executive vice chairman, department of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. In recognition of World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, the American Stroke Association offers these five tips to help reduce your risk of stroke and maintain mental sharpness as you age:
“These simple suggestions are great for everyone to follow, even if you don’t think you’re likely to have a stroke,” Schwamm said. “While many adults don’t think they are at risk for stroke or reduced brain function, the reality is that nearly half of all adults in America have high blood pressure, and untreated high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of stroke and also causes up to 60% of dementia.” For more information and tips for preventing stroke, visit Stroke.org/WorldStrokeDay.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images SOURCE:American Heart Association
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