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121 posts

BREAST CANCER EXPLAINED: YOU’RE BREASTS

14/04/11

The female breast, an unending source of fascination and delight to artists, lovers, fashion editors and photographers, has, despite its complex appeal, a fairly straightforward structure which is perfect for its real function – that of suckling infants.
Breasts are composed mainly of fatty tissue which protects the milk-producing glands. There are between twelve and twenty lobes in each breast, which are in turn composed of hundreds of tiny lobules. The milk ducts lead from these and open through the nipple. Ligaments join layers of fibrous tissue to support the breasts and attach them to the muscles underneath. The breast is divided into four quadrants: the inner lower, inner upper, outer lower and outer upper. The outer upper quadrant has a tail, called the axillary tail, which leads up to the armpit.
Breast tissue has a rich blood supply, including branches from the axillary artery which supplies the outer area of the breast leading to the armpit. There are also lymph vessels which drain tissue fluids into the lymph nodes located in the armpits (axilla).
*29\240\2*
 

HOW CONSTIPATION AFFECTS ARTHRITICS: COLONIC IRRIGATIONS AND ENEMAS

05/04/11

The liquid methods—like colonic irrigations and enemas—we believe should be limited to use in post-operative cases, in hospitals and just for the chronically ill.
The previous paragraphs have presented a few of the ways by which we Americans try to solve our constipation problem. For the most part, we choose them because they are the easiest means to quick relief. If they fail to help us, and congestion remains a problem in the body, haemorrhoids may result.
Constipation is the most prevalent of human ailments. The arthritic has more than his share of this condition, so he must face the problem squarely. Try to do so, without trying to use water as the main measure.
How Much Water?
If the arthritic turns to drinking a great deal of: water all day long, he will soon be surprised to find that water does NOT have the vital substance necessary to keep him regular. Almost everyone, with or without arthritis, makes this mistake. Extra water does not soften the mass in the colon which has become stagnant. The liver acts as a control—it inhibits extra water from reaching the colon as well as the bloodstream. At first, extra water will seem beneficial . . . but not for long.
The Pro and Con on Prunes
When an arthritic turns to prune juice, he is taking in concentrated fruit sugar. For a time, he will be helped. Soon, however, its stimulative effect wears off. And fruit sugar, of course, damages the oils trying to circulate within an arthritic.
Instead of drinking prune juice, eat prunes. Or substitute dates, raisins, and figs. These will prove beneficial to combat constipation . . . and will do less harm to the bodily oils. Even so, eat these fruits with moderation.
*44\146\2*
 

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PMS: VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXIN)

29/03/11

Doctors usually start with a treatment that will have the fewest side-effects. If it works, good. If not men something else will have to be tried.
This is one of the oldest PMS therapies and dates from the discovery that B6 is involved in the production of serotonin and dopamine, two of the ‘happy’ chemicals in the brain.
The current therapy is 100 mg a day taken by mouth. The treatment is taken for the whole month, not just when you are likely to be premenstrual.
But the evidence for vitamin B6′s efficacy is shaky. An analysis of 12 clinical trials of vitamin B6 found three with positive results, five with ambiguous results and four with negative results. Dutch researchers who analysed the B6 trials said: ‘At the moment there is no evidence that vitamin B6 is efficacious in the treatment of patients with PMS’.
Despite this, some women do seem to improve when they are taking vitamin B6 and for this reason many doctors are prepared to give it a try.
High doses of vitamin B6 are known to cause nerve damage resulting in symptoms like pins and needles, muscle weakness and even eye damage. The general consensus is that 100 mg a day is unlikely to cause problems and it is well worth sticking to that dose if you have been prescribed this medicine.
*42\120\4*

 

CANCER: THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA

27/03/11

The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing rapidly in many countries. During the latter part of this century it has been doubling every ten or twelve years. The effect varies between countries and is most striking in those parts of the world where fair-skinned populations are exposed to intense sunlight. This makes Australia and the hot parts of the United States the highest-risk areas and Queensland in Australia is the melanoma ‘capital’ of the world. In Queensland, 30 people out of every 100,000 now get a melanoma every year. This is much higher than in Western Europe, where the figure ranges from 1.2 per 100,000 per year in Poland to over 10 per 100,000 per year in Scottish women. Within Europe, the United Kingdom overall is in the middle of the range at about 7 cases per 100,000 per year, possibly higher in Scotland, where accuracy and completeness of studies of melanoma are excellent. In many countries, the incidence is increasing rapidly, and we have illustrated this with diagrams representing the changing incidence of melanoma in the United States as reported by Dr Rige and colleagues in 1987 and in Scotland as reported by Professor MacKie and colleagues in 1992. In Scotland the current rate of increase is 7.4 per cent per year but fortunately many more melanomas are now of the thinner, less dangerous type.
This has increased from one in 1,500 in 1935 to an estimate of one in 90 in the year 2000. In view of the potential seriousness of malignant melanoma these trends have to be viewed with alarm. Upward trends in incidence have also been seen in Western Europe and in the United Kingdom. Interestingly enough, though, the public-education programmes started in 1985 in Scotland may be having an effect, for in Scotland the proportion of melanomas which fall into the thin and superficial category, and which are therefore more easily cured, has grown significantly.
*68\194\4*

CANCER: THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF MALIGNANT MELANOMAThe incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing rapidly in many countries. During the latter part of this century it has been doubling every ten or twelve years. The effect varies between countries and is most striking in those parts of the world where fair-skinned populations are exposed to intense sunlight. This makes Australia and the hot parts of the United States the highest-risk areas and Queensland in Australia is the melanoma ‘capital’ of the world. In Queensland, 30 people out of every 100,000 now get a melanoma every year. This is much higher than in Western Europe, where the figure ranges from 1.2 per 100,000 per year in Poland to over 10 per 100,000 per year in Scottish women. Within Europe, the United Kingdom overall is in the middle of the range at about 7 cases per 100,000 per year, possibly higher in Scotland, where accuracy and completeness of studies of melanoma are excellent. In many countries, the incidence is increasing rapidly, and we have illustrated this with diagrams representing the changing incidence of melanoma in the United States as reported by Dr Rige and colleagues in 1987 and in Scotland as reported by Professor MacKie and colleagues in 1992. In Scotland the current rate of increase is 7.4 per cent per year but fortunately many more melanomas are now of the thinner, less dangerous type.This has increased from one in 1,500 in 1935 to an estimate of one in 90 in the year 2000. In view of the potential seriousness of malignant melanoma these trends have to be viewed with alarm. Upward trends in incidence have also been seen in Western Europe and in the United Kingdom. Interestingly enough, though, the public-education programmes started in 1985 in Scotland may be having an effect, for in Scotland the proportion of melanomas which fall into the thin and superficial category, and which are therefore more easily cured, has grown significantly.*68\194\4*

 

IS IT REALLY ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)?

17/03/11

Ryan’s day begins at 7 a.m. His mother wakes him, tells him to get dressed, then comes back five minutes later and tells him again. It takes the freckle-faced eight-year-old fifteen more minutes to complete the task. In the kitchen, Ryan races around, unable to sit still for more than thirty seconds.
At school, the other children are frightened of Ryan’s explosive temper and tendency to strike out. He talks out of turn, races around the classroom, and can’t seem to stay at his desk. He finds it impossible to concentrate on a simple spelling test, despite the fact that he knew all the words perfectly the night before. When time is called, Ryan’s page is full of doodles and scrawls.
Later, on the playground, Ryan gets into a fight when a classmate accidentally brushes by him while playing kickball. Ryan flies into a rage, and, screaming, he knocks the boy down.
Back home, Ryan’s mother orders him to clean his room. Instead, Ryan dashes into the living room and turns on the television. His mother grabs him by the arm and drags him, kicking and screaming, into his bedroom.
Getting Ryan to do his homework proves equally difficult. It takes sixty minutes and several angry reprimands from his mother and father before he is able to write down fifteen simple spelling words. When his mother checks his work, ten of the words are impossible to read.
A fight ensues when his parents try to put him to bed at nine-thirty. After that, they can hear Ryan in his bedroom, talking to himself and playing with one toy after another. By the time he finally falls asleep, it’s 11 p.m.
Despite his best efforts, Ryan simply can’t control his behavior. He has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a mental disorder believed to affect between 3 and 5 percent of all children—possibly as many as two million youngsters in the United States alone.
Once known as minimal brain dysfunction or hyperkinesis, ADHD is now considered by most experts to be an umbrella syndrome characterized by the presence of several distinct symptoms, most commonly hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. It affects three times as many boys as girls and frequently continues into adolescence and adulthood.
There is no cure for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but in most cases it can be effectively managed with medication (most commonly Ritalin), psychotherapy, behavior modification, and other approaches. Left untreated, children and adults with ADHD typically find it difficult to do well in school or at work, maintain friendships or interpersonal relationships, and generally enjoy life. It’s an often maddening existence that leaves the victim feeling powerless, confused, and angry.
But there is hope. Every day, researchers worldwide are discovering more and more about the biological workings and potential causes of ADHD, as well as new treatments for the syndrome and perhaps, one day, even a cure. In the meantime, victims must learn to manage one day at a time, constantly aware that the most disruptive symptoms of ADHD always lie just below the surface, ready to wreak havoc.
Following are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding ADHD, its presentation, suspected causes, and prognoses.
*1\173\2*

IS IT REALLY ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)? Ryan’s day begins at 7 a.m. His mother wakes him, tells him to get dressed, then comes back five minutes later and tells him again. It takes the freckle-faced eight-year-old fifteen more minutes to complete the task. In the kitchen, Ryan races around, unable to sit still for more than thirty seconds.At school, the other children are frightened of Ryan’s explosive temper and tendency to strike out. He talks out of turn, races around the classroom, and can’t seem to stay at his desk. He finds it impossible to concentrate on a simple spelling test, despite the fact that he knew all the words perfectly the night before. When time is called, Ryan’s page is full of doodles and scrawls.Later, on the playground, Ryan gets into a fight when a classmate accidentally brushes by him while playing kickball. Ryan flies into a rage, and, screaming, he knocks the boy down.Back home, Ryan’s mother orders him to clean his room. Instead, Ryan dashes into the living room and turns on the television. His mother grabs him by the arm and drags him, kicking and screaming, into his bedroom.Getting Ryan to do his homework proves equally difficult. It takes sixty minutes and several angry reprimands from his mother and father before he is able to write down fifteen simple spelling words. When his mother checks his work, ten of the words are impossible to read. A fight ensues when his parents try to put him to bed at nine-thirty. After that, they can hear Ryan in his bedroom, talking to himself and playing with one toy after another. By the time he finally falls asleep, it’s 11 p.m.Despite his best efforts, Ryan simply can’t control his behavior. He has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a mental disorder believed to affect between 3 and 5 percent of all children—possibly as many as two million youngsters in the United States alone.Once known as minimal brain dysfunction or hyperkinesis, ADHD is now considered by most experts to be an umbrella syndrome characterized by the presence of several distinct symptoms, most commonly hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. It affects three times as many boys as girls and frequently continues into adolescence and adulthood.There is no cure for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but in most cases it can be effectively managed with medication (most commonly Ritalin), psychotherapy, behavior modification, and other approaches. Left untreated, children and adults with ADHD typically find it difficult to do well in school or at work, maintain friendships or interpersonal relationships, and generally enjoy life. It’s an often maddening existence that leaves the victim feeling powerless, confused, and angry.But there is hope. Every day, researchers worldwide are discovering more and more about the biological workings and potential causes of ADHD, as well as new treatments for the syndrome and perhaps, one day, even a cure. In the meantime, victims must learn to manage one day at a time, constantly aware that the most disruptive symptoms of ADHD always lie just below the surface, ready to wreak havoc.Following are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding ADHD, its presentation, suspected causes, and prognoses.*1\173\2*

 

DEALING WITH UNPREDICTABLE PERIODS: IS IT DANGEROUS TO BLEED ONLY TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR?

15/03/11

Since I started my menstruation I have only had periods two or three times a year. I’m twenty-seven years old and I’ve been to several doctors. They always suggest that I take the pill, which I did for a while, but I was afraid of side effects. I stopped the pill six months ago and I’ve only had one period since. I went back to the doctor and he said something about giving me shots, but I’m so worried something else might be wrong.
—W.H.
Stamford, Connecticut
This woman is living with oligomenorrhea, an occasional menstruation. She may have inherited a special form of polycystic ovaries, the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, a condition in which the ovaries are slightly enlarged and they produce an excess of estrogen and testosterone, the male hormone, which is causing a general hormonal imbalance in her body. Brain hormones are not functioning properly and ovulation is off.
She should look at herself in a mirror to see if she has excessive body hair, which is one of the indications of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Does she have hairs on her face, around her nipples, or on her stomach? Perhaps she has hair growing upward from her pubic area toward her navel in a triangular fashion. Such a hirsute state signals an overproduction of the male hormone testosterone, and the possible presence of the syndrome. On the next visit to her doctor, she might discuss the possibility of Stein-Leventhal syndrome with him.
Birth control pills usually correct such a hormonal imbalance and regulate the menstrual cycle, but since this woman does not want to take the pill, she may be helped by the progesterone tablet Provera. Taken twice a day for five days, Provera, once it is stopped, can help to induce menstruation. As explained earlier, progesterone, along with sufficient estrogen, helps to build the uterine lining, the endometrium. After the tablets are stopped and the hormone is withdrawn, the uterus contracts and the endometrium is discharged by the body in the form of menstrual blood. Progesterone tablets, once stopped, may return a woman’s monthly period to her but often, in order to induce bleeding, the tablets must be taken routinely, month after month.
The fertility drug Clomid is another medication that has induced menstruation with success. A woman with Stein-Leventhal syndrome who wants to become pregnant might be especially interested in trying the Clomid. If, however, she fails to conceive with the medication, then she might need a wedge resection of the ovary, an operation in which a portion of the ovary is removed to make it smaller and more efficient in function.
Ovulating and menstruating only a few times a year is not dangerous because there is no tissue buildup. In order for the endometrium to form, there must be ovulation, and Ms. H., the letterwriter, only ovulates once every few months, when she bleeds. However, if she has Stein-Leventhal syndrome, then she should know that due to the increased estrogen in her body she may have a slightly higher than normal risk of breast cancer, and she should not forget her periodic breast self-examinations.
Note: Do not expect a change in body hair when proper menstrual function is restored. The hormones that may regulate the menstrual cycle of a woman with Stein-Leventhal syndrome will not change her increased hair growth. No hair-removal medications exist and the ways to eliminate excess body hair are still: electrolysis, waxing, depilatories, and shaving.
*41\333\2*

 

IS IT RELATIVE OF BDD? DEPRESSION: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES – CONCLUSIONS

08/03/11

On balance, there are some similarities but many important differences between BDD and depression. It seems fairly clear that BDD isn’t simply a symptom of depression or caused by depression. In fact, the depressive symptoms of people with BDD often appear to be caused by BDD. Many people say that BDD is what makes them depressed, demoralized, unable to enjoy life, and even suicidal. In fact, some BDD sufferers can’t believe that someone could have BDD and not be depressed, because their BDD symptoms are so distressing and impairing. On the other hand, for some people depression begins before BDD and appears at least somewhat distinct from BDD—that is, not largely due to BDD. For yet others, the situation is even more complicated: the depression appears partly due to BDD and partly not due to BDD.
As I concluded for OCD, social phobia, and eating disorders, BDD doesn’t seem to simply be a symptom of depression, but it may nonetheless be related to it. Consistent with this hypothesis, Drs. Harrison Pope and James Hudson have proposed that BDD is an “affective spectrum disorder”—that is, a member of a family of disorders that are postulated to be related to one another and to depression. According to this model, BDD and depression share a common underlying abnormality that causes (or at least predisposes to) both BDD and depression.
*379\204\8*

IS IT  RELATIVE OF BDD? DEPRESSION: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES –  CONCLUSIONSOn balance, there are some similarities but many important differences between BDD and depression. It seems fairly clear that BDD isn’t simply a symptom of depression or caused by depression. In fact, the depressive symptoms of people with BDD often appear to be caused by BDD. Many people say that BDD is what makes them depressed, demoralized, unable to enjoy life, and even suicidal. In fact, some BDD sufferers can’t believe that someone could have BDD and not be depressed, because their BDD symptoms are so distressing and impairing. On the other hand, for some people depression begins before BDD and appears at least somewhat distinct from BDD—that is, not largely due to BDD. For yet others, the situation is even more complicated: the depression appears partly due to BDD and partly not due to BDD.As I concluded for OCD, social phobia, and eating disorders, BDD doesn’t seem to simply be a symptom of depression, but it may nonetheless be related to it. Consistent with this hypothesis, Drs. Harrison Pope and James Hudson have proposed that BDD is an “affective spectrum disorder”—that is, a member of a family of disorders that are postulated to be related to one another and to depression. According to this model, BDD and depression share a common underlying abnormality that causes (or at least predisposes to) both BDD and depression.*379\204\8*

 

THE BREAST CANCER PREVENTION DIET: VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

01/03/11

The actual values are expressed as ORAC, or “oxygen radical absorbence capacity.” The oxygen radical is the substance that causes damage to genetic material. The ability of any antioxidant to soak up oxygen radicals is called absorbency. Despite all the hype, I was still surprised to see that garlic tops the list of foods able to absorb oxygen radicals. The more foods you eat from the top of this list the better. By coincidence, those vegetables that are best at making more good estrogen, from Brussels sprouts and broccoli to cabbage, are also great antioxidants. The best news is that palate-friendly vegetables like garlic, kale, onions, corn, and sweet potatoes are so high on the list.
Looking for an easy rule of thumb to accumulate all the vegetables you need? Dr. Zora Djuric urges women in her studies to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to make sure they get a lot of different antioxidants. She recommends five servings for daily intake, as follows:
1 red vegetable
1 orange vegetable
1 dark green vegetable
2 other vegetables
Serving size:
0.5 cup of cooked vegetables, or
1 cup raw leafy vegetables
FRUITS
If you’re not in love with vegetables, the good news is that many fruits rival even the best vegetables at dropping your oxidative load.
Dr. Zora Djuric’s shortcut here is to eat the following:
2 vitamin C-rich fruits
2 other fruits
Serving size:
medium-size piece of fruit, or
6 ounces 100 percent fruit juice, or
0.5 cup diced fruit, or
1/4 cup dried fruit
In news reports, you’ll often read about specific antioxidants. For years it was beta-carotene, but now lycopene is getting rave reviews. The unique table on pages 130-31, assembled by Catherine Rice-Evans in London, lists the antioxidant values of the very best antioxidants in the world and the foods in which you will find them.
*42\239\2*

 

VITAMINS AND MINERALS: VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE) & VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)

25/02/11

Vitamin B, (Thiamine)
Functions:   Normal growth; digestion; healthy nerves;
Sources:
Causes of Deficiency:
Deficiency Signs and Symptoms: healthy heart
Widely available in the diet; wholegrains, meat, fish, pulses, nuts, eggs, most vegetables
Poor diet (too much pure carbohydrate such as alcohol), dirty colon, colon disorders such as the Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fatigue, loss of appetite, nervous tension (build up of lactic acid in the brain) phobias, confusion, constipation, pins and needles, sensitivity to noise, impairment of sense of touch, retention of fluid. Severe deficiency: beriberi – disorder affecting muscles and brain; tingling or burning in legs, tender calf muscles, double vision, nystagmus (involuntary movements of eyeballs), paralysis of muscles around eyes.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Functions:   Helps the body use carbohydrates and protein; helps in alcohol and yeast sensitivity
Sources:   Wholegrains, pulses, liver, milk, eggs, leafy greens, brewer’s yeast
Causes of   Dirty colon, colon disorders, major tranquillizers, Deficiency:   probably minor tranquillizers and sleeping pills (valium group), tricyclic antidepressants, alcoholism, slimming. Not a huge amount available in the diet, and so is quite a common deficiency (the most common one in the United States). Recovery from deficiency is slow.
Deficiency Signs   Dizziness, shaking, pre-menstrual tension (PMT), and Symptoms:   sore eyes, gritty eyes, twitching of eyelids. Severe deficiency: corneal damage, cataract, anaemia, weak muscles.
*137\326\8*

VITAMINS AND MINERALS: VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE) & VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)Vitamin B, (Thiamine)Functions:   Normal growth; digestion; healthy nerves;Sources:Causes of Deficiency:Deficiency Signs and Symptoms: healthy heartWidely available in the diet; wholegrains, meat, fish, pulses, nuts, eggs, most vegetablesPoor diet (too much pure carbohydrate such as alcohol), dirty colon, colon disorders such as the Irritable Bowel SyndromeFatigue, loss of appetite, nervous tension (build up of lactic acid in the brain) phobias, confusion, constipation, pins and needles, sensitivity to noise, impairment of sense of touch, retention of fluid. Severe deficiency: beriberi – disorder affecting muscles and brain; tingling or burning in legs, tender calf muscles, double vision, nystagmus (involuntary movements of eyeballs), paralysis of muscles around eyes.Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Functions:   Helps the body use carbohydrates and protein; helps in alcohol and yeast sensitivitySources:   Wholegrains, pulses, liver, milk, eggs, leafy greens, brewer’s yeastCauses of   Dirty colon, colon disorders, major tranquillizers, Deficiency:   probably minor tranquillizers and sleeping pills (valium group), tricyclic antidepressants, alcoholism, slimming. Not a huge amount available in the diet, and so is quite a common deficiency (the most common one in the United States). Recovery from deficiency is slow.Deficiency Signs   Dizziness, shaking, pre-menstrual tension (PMT), and Symptoms:   sore eyes, gritty eyes, twitching of eyelids. Severe deficiency: corneal damage, cataract, anaemia, weak muscles.*137\326\8*

 

SCOPE AND IMPACT OF DIABETES IN THE U.S.:MORTALITY

22/02/11

A representative cohort of 14,374 adults (aged 25-74) was identified in NHANES I in 1971-1975 and followed for 22 years. Death certificates were examined to determine cause of death in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Diabetes accounted for 5.1 % of the cohort but 10.6% of the deaths. Age-adjusted mortality rates were 57% higher in diabetic men than in women and 27% higher in African Americans than Caucasians with diabetes. Mortality was highest for insulin-treated patients and those with diabetes for 15 years or longer. Heart disease was listed most frequently—on 69.5% of the death certificates for people with diabetes. The excessive mortality, however, was not completely explained by differences in risk factors for heart disease. A twofold excessive risk can be attributed to other factors operative in the diabetic state. Similar findings were reported by Stamler in a 12-year analysis of diabetic men in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT).
Thus, despite underreporting of diabetes as a contributing factor on death certificates, mortality rates are substantially higher in people with diabetes compared with nondiabetics. Rates are higher in men than in women and in African Americans than in Caucasians. Life expectancy is markedly diminished. The majority of deaths are related to heart disease, suggesting that increased attention to management of cardiovascular risk factors can decrease the mortality rate and increase life expectancy for people with diabetes. These predictions are now strongly supported by prospective randomized trials directed at management of a variety of cardiovascular risk markers, including hypertension, dys-lipidemia, albuminuria, nephropathy, and the prothrombotic tendency that often occurs in diabetes.
*13\357\8*

 
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