Weight Loss - Creating Your Personal Weight Loss Plan

Has needing to lose weight been on your mind? If so, you are in the process of following a weight loss plan or not doing anything at all. There is no middle ground. If the latter applies to you, it pays to take a moment to consider why you are not making an effort to reach your goals. Is it because of a lack of guidance and instruction? Surely you want to lose weight; otherwise, you would not be thinking about it. Perhaps the need to lose weight is more significant than your desire to get lean. Often this is the case for many adults, who realize being overweight is more problematic than it initially seems.

You may need some guidance. So let's talk about some tips for creating a weight loss program that will work for you. If you are already making an effort, the following might still be of use to you...

1. Outline your objectives

 First, you must outline your goals. Don't focus so much on the specifics. It is not nearly as important to set how much weight you ought to lose, as it is focusing on the process itself. It is better to focus on losing weight generally, not how much.

Have your "why" adequately figured out before you begin.

2. Eat well

Not surprisingly, it is vital to eat well when starting a weight loss program. Your food choices matter, more than you may think.

It becomes especially important to eat the right carbohydrates if you have high blood sugar. In any case, it will probably do you well to eat more fruits and vegetables than you already do, and eat a healthy balance of proteins and fats. They are all important.

3. Mind your portion sizes

Your portion sizes are just as important as your food choices. Even if you are selecting healthy carbohydrates such as brown rice and sweet potatoes, you can still overeat and losing weight will then be much harder.

Counting calories helps, but is too tedious for most people. By eating slowly, you will have a better idea of how much you should be eating. Always stop eating before you feel full, and don't hesitate to feel hungry for a part of your day.

4. Begin exercising

 If you have not already, start exercising. It will help, no matter which exercise program you chose. Even walking will help get the job done.

5. Anticipate setbacks

Setbacks will occur: know you will not make weekly progress forever. You will stall eventually. You will get frustrated. Relax and make adjustments if needed. Don't stress, and be patient: weight loss requires patience more than anything.

Lastly, remember to make your weight loss program your own. What works for other people will not necessarily work for you. Feel free to experiment with different diets and exercise plans. But know you will have to discover what yields the best results for you and your body.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets

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What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too.

Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other areas. To learn more about cancer and how all cancers start and spread, see Cancer Basics.

Where breast cancer starts

Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). Some start in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancers). There are also other types of breast cancer that are less common.

A small number of cancers start in other tissues in the breast. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.

Although many types of breast cancer can cause a lump in the breast, not all do.  Many breast cancers are found on screening mammograms which can detect cancers at an earlier stage, often before they can be felt, and before symptoms develop. There are other symptoms of breast cancer you should watch for and report to a health care provider.

It s also important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancer (malignant). Non-cancerous breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast and they are not life threatening. But some benign breast lumps can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. Any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a health care professional to determine if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if it might affect your future cancer risk.

How breast cancer spreads

Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and are carried to other parts of the body.

The lymph system is a network of lymph (or lymphatic) vessels found throughout the body that connects lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells). The clear fluid inside the lymph vessels, called lymph, contains tissue by-products and waste material, as well as immune system cells. The lymph vessels carry lymph fluid away from the breast. In the case of breast cancer, cancer cells can enter those lymph vessels and start to grow in lymph nodes. Most of the lymph vessels of the breast drain into:

• Lymph nodes under the arm (axillary nodes)
• Lymph nodes around the collar bone (supraclavicular [above the collar bone] and infraclavicular [below the collar bone] lymph nodes)
• Lymph nodes inside the chest near the breast bone (internal mammary lymph nodes)

If cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes, there is a higher chance that the cells could have traveled through the lymph system and spread (metastasized) to other parts of your body. The more lymph nodes with breast cancer cells, the more likely it is that the cancer may be found in other organs. Because of this, finding cancer in one or more lymph nodes often affects your treatment plan. Usually, you will need surgery to remove one or more lymph nodes to know whether the cancer has spread.

Still, not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases, and some women with no cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases later

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How Is Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor because of symptoms they are having. If there is a reason to suspect you might have mesothelioma, your doctor will examine you and use one or more tests to find out. Symptoms might suggest that the problem could be mesothelioma, but tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Medical history and physical exam

If you have any signs or symptoms that suggest you might have mesothelioma, your doctor will want to get your medical history to learn about your symptoms and possible risk factors, especially asbestos exposure.

A physical exam can provide information about possible signs of mesothelioma and other health problems. Pleural mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up around the lungs in the chest (called a pleural effusion). In cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid can build up in the abdomen (called ascites). In pericardial mesothelioma, fluid builds up in the sac around the heart (called a pericardial effusion). Rarely, mesothelioma can develop in the groin and look like a hernia. All of these might be found during a physical exam, such as when the doctor listens to these areas with a stethoscope or taps on the chest or abdomen.

If mesothelioma is a possibility, tests will be needed to make sure. These might include imaging tests, blood tests, and other procedures.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests use x-rays, radioactive particles, sound waves, or magnetic fields to create pictures of the inside of your body. Imaging tests might be done for a number of reasons, such as:

• To look at suspicious areas that might be cancer
• To learn how far cancer has spread
• To help determine if treatment is working

People thought to have mesothelioma may have one or more of these tests.

Chest x-ray

This is often the first test done if someone has symptoms such as a constant cough or shortness of breath. Findings that might suggest mesothelioma include an abnormal thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits on the pleura, fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall, or changes in the lungs themselves as a result of asbestos exposure.

Computed tomography (CT) scan

The CT scan uses x-rays to make detailed cross-sectional images of your body. Instead of taking one picture, like a regular x-ray, a CT scanner takes many pictures as it rotates around you while you are lying on a narrow table. A computer then combines these into images of slices of the body.

CT scans are often used to help look for mesothelioma and to determine the exact location of the cancer. They can also help determine the stage (extent) of the cancer. For example, they can show if the cancer has spread to other organs. This can help determine if surgery might be a treatment option. Finally, CT scans can also be used to learn if treatment such as chemotherapy is shrinking or slowing the growth of the cancer.

A CT scanner has been described as a large donut, with a narrow table that slides in and out of the middle opening. You will need to lie still on the table while the scan is being done. CT scans take longer than regular x-rays, and you might feel a bit confined by the ring while the pictures are being taken.

Before the test, you might have to drink a liquid called oral contrast. This helps outline the intestine so that certain areas are not mistaken for tumors. You might also need an IV (intravenous) line through which a different kind of contrast is injected. This helps better outline structures in your body. The injection can cause some flushing (redness and warm feeling). Some people are allergic and get hives or, rarely, more serious reactions like trouble breathing and low blood pressure. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have any allergies (especially to iodine or shellfish) or have ever had a reaction to any contrast material used for x-rays.

Echocardiogram

This test uses sound waves to look at the heart. It may be done if your doctor suspects that you have fluid around your heart (a pericardial effusion). This test can also tell how well the heart is working. For the most common version of this test, you lie on a table while a technician moves an instrument called a transducer over the skin on your chest. A gel is often put on the skin first.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

For a PET scan, a radioactive substance (usually a type of sugar related to glucose, known as FDG) is injected into the blood. The amount of radioactivity used is very low. Because cancer cells grow quickly, they absorb more of the sugar than most other cells. After waiting about an hour, you lie on a table in the PET scanner for about 30 minutes while a special camera creates a picture of areas of radioactivity in the body.

The picture from a PET scan is not as detailed as a CT or MRI scan, but it can provide helpful information about whether abnormal areas seen on these tests are likely to be cancerous or not. For example, it can give the doctor a better idea of whether a thickening of the pleura or peritoneum seen on a CT scan is more likely cancer or merely scar tissue. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor may use this test to see if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. A PET scan can also be useful if your doctor thinks the cancer may have spread but doesn t know where.

Some machines can do both a PET and CT scan at the same time (PET/CT scan). This lets the doctor compare areas of higher radioactivity on the PET scan with the more detailed appearance of that area on the CT.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Like CT scans, MRI scans make detailed images of the body s soft tissues. But MRI scans use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays. A contrast material called gadolinium is often injected into a vein before the scan to better show details. This contrast is different than the one used for CT scans, so being allergic to one doesn t mean you are allergic to the other.

MRI scans can sometimes help show the exact location and extent of a tumor since they provide very detailed images of soft tissues. For mesotheliomas, they may be useful in looking at the diaphragm (the thin band of muscle below the lungs that helps us breathe), a possible site of cancer spread.

MRI scans take longer than CT scans   often up to an hour. You may have to lie inside a narrow tube, which can upset people with a fear of enclosed spaces. Special, more open MRI machines may be an option in some cases. The MRI machine makes buzzing and clicking noises that you might find disturbing. Some places will give you earplugs to help block this out.

Blood tests

Blood levels of certain substances are often higher in people with mesothelioma:

• Osteopontin
• Soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs), detected with the MesoMark  test

Mesothelioma can t be diagnosed with these blood tests alone, but high levels of these substances can make the diagnosis more likely. These tests are not routinely used in most doctors  offices because of their limited value.

Tests of fluid and tissue samples

Symptoms and test results may strongly suggest that a person has mesothelioma, but the actual diagnosis is made by removing cells from an abnormal area and looking at them under a microscope. This is known as a biopsy. It can be done in different ways, depending on the situation.

Removing fluid for testing

If there is a buildup of fluid in part of the body that might be due to mesothelioma, a sample of this fluid can be removed by inserting a thin, hollow needle through the skin and into the fluid. Numbing medicine is used on the skin before the needle is inserted. This may be done in a doctor s office or in the hospital. Sometimes ultrasound (or an echocardiogram) is used to guide the needle. These tests use sound waves to see inside the body.

This procedure has different names depending on where the fluid is:

• Thoracentesis removes fluid from the chest.
• Paracentesis removes fluid from the abdomen.
• Pericardiocentesis removes fluid from the sac around the heart.

The fluid is then tested for its chemical makeup and is looked at under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, special tests might be done to see if the cancer is a mesothelioma, a lung cancer, or another type of cancer.

Even if no cancer cells are found in the fluid, a person might still have cancer. In many cases, doctors need to get an actual sample of the mesothelium (the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium) to determine if a person has mesothelioma.

Needle biopsies

Suspected tumors in the chest are sometimes sampled by needle biopsy. A long, hollow needle is passed through the skin in the chest between the ribs and into the pleura. Imaging tests such as CT scans are used to guide the needle into the tumor so that small samples can be removed to be looked at under the microscope. This is often done using just numbing medicine.

Needle biopsy can also be used to get samples of the lymph nodes in the space between the lungs to see if the cancer has spread there (see Endobronchial ultrasound needle biopsy ).

Needle biopsies do not require a surgical incision or overnight hospital stay. But the downside is that sometimes the samples removed are not big enough to make an accurate diagnosis. This is especially true for mesothelioma. A more invasive biopsy method may be needed.

There is a slight chance that the needle could put a small hole in the lung during the biopsy. This can cause air to build up in the space between the lung and the chest wall (known as a pneumothorax). A small pneumothorax might not cause any symptoms. It may only be seen on an x-ray done after the biopsy, and it will often go away on its own. But a larger pneumothorax can make part of a lung collapse and might need to be treated. The treatment is placement of a small tube (a catheter) through the skin and into the space between the lungs. The tube is used to suck the air out in order to re-expand the lung and is left in place for a short time.

Endoscopic biopsies

Endoscopic biopsy is commonly used to diagnose mesothelioma. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument used to look inside the body. It has a light and a lens (or tiny video camera) on the end for viewing and often has a tool to remove tissue samples. Endoscopes have different names depending on the part of the body where they re used.

Thoracoscopy: This procedure uses an endoscope called a thoracoscope to look at areas inside the chest. It can be used to look at the pleura and take tissue samples for biopsies.

Thoracoscopy is done in the operating room while you are under general anesthesia (in a deep sleep). The doctor inserts the thoracoscope through one or more small cuts made in the chest wall to look at the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This lets the doctor see possible areas of cancer and remove small pieces of tissue to look at under the microscope. The doctor can also sample lymph nodes and fluid and see if a tumor is growing into nearby tissues or organs.

Thoracoscopy can also be used as part of a procedure to keep fluid from building up in the chest. This is called pleurodesis and is discussed in Palliative Procedures Used for Malignant Mesothelioma.

Laparoscopy: For this test, the doctor uses an endoscope called a laparoscope to look inside the abdomen and biopsy any peritoneal tumors. This is done in the operating room while you are under general anesthesia (in a deep sleep). The laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through small cuts on the front of the abdomen.

Mediastinoscopy: If imaging tests such as a CT scan suggest that the cancer might have spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs, the doctor may want to sample some of them to see if they really contain cancer. The area between the lungs is called the mediastinum, and looking at it with an endoscope is called mediastinoscopy. This is done in an operating room while you are under general anesthesia (in a deep sleep).

A small cut is made in the front of the neck above the breastbone (sternum) and a thin, hollow, lighted tube (called a mediastinoscope) is inserted behind the sternum. Special instruments can be passed through this tube to take tissue samples from the lymph nodes along the windpipe and the major bronchial tube areas.

Lung cancers often spread to lymph nodes, but mesotheliomas do this less often. Testing the lymph nodes can help show whether a cancer is still localized or if it has started to spread, which might affect treatment options. It can also sometimes help tell lung cancers from mesotheliomas.Patients with mesothelioma don t need to have bronchoscopy to see if tumors are in their airways (because that isn t where tumors from mesothelioma are found). Instead, bronchoscopy may be used to biopsy lymph nodes near the lungs (instead of using mediastinoscopy).

Endobronchial ultrasound needle biopsy: For this test, a bronchoscope (a long, thin, flexible, fiber-optic tube) with an ultrasound device at its tip is passed down the throat and into the windpipe. The ultrasound lets the doctor see the nearby lymph nodes. A hollow needle is then passed down the bronchoscope and through the airway wall into the nodes to take biopsy samples. This procedure may be done with either general anesthesia (where you are asleep), or with numbing medicine (local anesthesia) and light sedation.

Open surgical biopsy

Sometimes, endoscopic biopsies aren t enough to make a diagnosis, so more invasive procedures are needed. By making an incision in the chest (thoracotomy) or an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy) the surgeon can remove a larger sample of tumor or, sometimes, remove the entire tumor.

Testing the samples in the lab

No matter how they re obtained, all biopsy and fluid samples are sent to the pathology lab. There, a doctor will look at them under a microscope and test them to find out if they contain cancer cells (and if so, what type of cancer it is).

It s often hard to diagnose mesothelioma by looking at cells from fluid samples. It can even be hard to diagnose mesothelioma with tissue from small needle biopsies. Under the microscope, mesothelioma can often look like other types of cancer. For example, pleural mesothelioma can resemble some types of lung cancer, and peritoneal mesothelioma in women may look like some cancers of the ovaries.

For this reason, special lab tests are often done to help tell mesothelioma from some other cancers. To learn about some of the tests that might be done on tissue samples, see Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.

If mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor will also determine what type of mesothelioma it is, based on the patterns of cells seen in the microscope. Most mesotheliomas are classified as either epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or mixed/biphasic.

Pulmonary function tests

If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) may be done to see how well your lungs are working. This is especially important if surgery might be an option to treat the cancer. Surgery often requires removing part or all of a lung, so it s important to know how well the lungs are working to start with. These tests can give the surgeon an idea of whether surgery may be an option, and if so, how much lung can safely be removed safely.

There are a few different types of PFTs, but they all basically have you breathe in and out through a tube connected to a machine that measures your lung function.

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Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma are more likely to be caused by other conditions, so at first people may ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for at least a few months before they are diagnosed.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the chest) can include:

• Pain in the side of the chest or lower back
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Weight loss (without trying)
• Trouble swallowing (feeling like food gets stuck)
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of the face and arms

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Swelling or fluid in the abdomen
• Weight loss (without trying)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation

These symptoms can be caused by mesothelioma, but more often they are caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these problems (especially if you have been exposed to asbestos), it?s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

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Health Mistakes That Most People Make - Health Tips

Would you like to look sound? Provided that this is true, you ought to abstain from committing the 5 most regular wellbeing errors. The vast majority eat undesirable stuff and don't practice by any means. Subsequently, they fall wiped out. In actuality, a standout amongst the most well-known reasons for stoutness is overheating and not doing any activity. The following are 5 botches you should maintain a strategic distance from should you need to remain fit as a fiddle. 



Not drinking enough water 

For a great many people, it's hard to drink 8 glasses of water once a day, yet you can locate some simple approaches to keep hydrated. You may put a few berries in your drinking water to make it heavenly. Another smart thought is to drink lemon water. Keep in mind: lack of hydration can cause weakness, dry mouth, clogging and temperament swings. Then again, drinking water will enable you to control your yearnings and craving. Thus, you will have the capacity to keep up your weight. In this way, you should make it a propensity to have no less than 8 glass of water every day. 

Skipping suppers 

On the off chance that you skip suppers, your digestion will back off. Thus, you will have a tendency to gorge, put on weight and get a considerable measure of genuine ailments. In addition, the absence of vitality will make you feel drained and languid for the duration of the day. 

Along these lines, the arrangement is that you ought to eat entire nourishments, for example, nuts, beans, seeds, veggies and new natural products. This will support your digestion, increment your vitality, improve your assimilation and monitor your hunger. In a perfect world, you ought to eat three servings of veggies and natural products once a day for enhancing your general wellbeing. 

Not eating protein 

You ought to have enough vegetables so as to get enough protein. On the off chance that you need to remain solid, you might need to give your body the perfect measure of calories. This will enable your body to control your glucose levels enhancing your concentration and building bulk. You can go for buckwheat, hemp, spirulina, chia seeds, and eggs, for example. These things will supply your body with protein. 

Not eating carbs 

The absence of sugars in your body can cause weakness, migraines, blockage, state of mind swings and sickness. Likewise, it can likewise influence you to eat excessively. 

With regards to starches, you should settle on insightful decisions. You may include vegetables, entire grains, seeds, organic product, nuts and vegetables. Be that as it may, having excessively of them is an awful thought. 

Not getting fat 

Fat can cause stoutness if expended imprudently. Similarly, not eating enough fat may have unfriendly impact on your body. Your body will work legitimately just in the event that you furnish it with enough fat. Your body gets vitality from fat to play out the day by day tasks. In this way, you ought to get several tablespoons of fat once a day. This will enable you to remain fit as a fiddle. You can eat seeds, avocado, olives and nut spreads for furnishing your body with enough fat. It's a smart thought to stay away from creature oils and fats. 

Hopefully, you will avoid these mistakes down the road. Stay healthy!

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What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially in the linings of the chest or abdomen.





Cancer starts when cells start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?

The mesothelioma 

a layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest, the abdomen, and the space around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. The lining formed by these cells is called the mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect your organs by making a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move against each other. For example, this fluid makes it easier for your lungs to move (expand and contract) inside the chest when you breathe. The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:

• The pleura coats the lungs and space in the chest containing the lungs.
• The peritoneum lines the inside of the abdomen and many of the organs in the abdomen.
• The pericardium covers the heart and creates the space that holds the heart in the chest.
• The tunica vaginalis lines the testicles.

Mesothelial tumors can start in any of these linings. These tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Malignant mesothelioma

A cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma, although this is often shortened to just mesothelioma. Mesotheliomas can start in 4 main areas in the body.

• Pleural mesotheliomas start in the chest. About 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas are pleural mesotheliomas.
• Peritoneal mesotheliomas begin in the abdomen. They make up most of the remaining cases.
• Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the covering around the heart and are very rare.
• Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are very rare tumors that start in the covering layer of the testicles.

Malignant mesotheliomas can also be classified into 3 main types based on how the cancer cells are arranged:




About half of mesotheliomas are epithelioid. This type tends to have a better outlook (prognosis) than the other types.
About 10% of mesotheliomas are sarcomatoid (fibrous).
Mixed (biphasic) mesotheliomas have both epithelioid and sarcomatoid areas. They make up the remaining 30% to 40% of mesotheliomas.

Benign tumors of the mesothelium

Benign (non-cancerous) tumors can also start in the mesothelium. These tumors are typically removed by surgery, and there is often no need for additional treatment.

Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura

This type of benign tumor can form in the pleura surrounding the lungs. It used to be called benign fibrous mesothelioma, but doctors now know that this tumor actually does not start in mesothelial cells. This disease is usually benign, but about 1 in 10 are cancerous. A similar condition that starts in the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum.

Adenomatoid mesothelioma

This benign tumor can develop in the mesothelium of certain reproductive organs. In men, it often starts in the epididymis (ducts that carry sperm cells out of the testicle). In women, this tumor can begin in the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus).

Benign cystic mesothelioma

This rare non-cancerous tumor often begins in the peritoneum.

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What Happens After Treatment for Malignant Mesothelioma?

For some people with mesothelioma, treatment may remove or destroy the cancer. Completing treatment can be both stressful and exciting. You may be relieved to finish treatment, but find it hard not to worry about the cancer coming back. (When cancer comes back after treatment, it is called recurrence.) This is a very common concern in people who have had cancer.



It may take a while before your fears lessen. But it may help to know that many cancer survivors have learned to live with this uncertainty and are leading full lives. See Understanding Cancer Recurrence for more about this.

For many people, the mesothelioma may never go away completely. These people may get regular treatments with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other therapies to help keep the cancer under control and help relieve symptoms from it. Learning to live with cancer that doesn t go away can be difficult and very stressful. It has its own type of uncertainty. See Managing Cancer as a Chronic Illness talks more about this.

Follow-up care

If you have completed treatment, your doctors will still want to watch you closely. It s very important to keep all follow-up appointments. During these visits, your doctors will ask about symptoms, examine you, and may order blood tests (such as the osteopontin or MesoMark tests) or imaging tests such as CT scans or PET scans. There is no widely agreed upon follow-up schedule for people with mesothelioma. Your doctor will most likely want to see you fairly often (at least every few months or so) at first. The time between visits may be extended if there are no problems.

Follow-up is needed to check for signs of cancer recurrence or spread, as well as possible side effects of certain treatments. This is a good time for you to ask your health care team any questions you might have and to discuss any concerns.

Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some can last for weeks or months, but others can be permanent. Don t hesitate to tell your cancer care team about any symptoms or side effects that bother you so they can help you manage them.

If the cancer does come back, further treatment will depend on where the cancer is, what treatments you ve had before, and your health. For more on how recurrent cancer is treated, see Treatment of Mesothelioma Based on the Extent of the Cancer. For more general information on dealing with a recurrence, see Coping With Cancer Recurrence.

Seeing a new doctor

At some point after your treatment, you may be seeing a new doctor who doesn t know anything about your medical history. It s important to be able to give your new doctor the details of your diagnosis and treatment. Gathering these details soon after treatment may be easier than trying to get them at some point in the future. Make sure you have the following information handy (and always keep copies for yourself):

• A copy of your pathology report(s) from any biopsies or surgeries
• Copies of imaging tests (such as x-rays or CT or MRI scans), which can usually be stored digitally (on a DVD, etc.)
• If you had surgery, a copy of your operative report(s)
• If you stayed in the hospital, a copy of the discharge summary that the doctor wrote when you were sent home
• If you had radiation therapy, a summary of the type and dose of radiation and when and where it was given
• If you had chemotherapy, a list of your drugs, drug doses, and when you took them
• The names and contact information of the doctors who treated your cancer

It s also very important to keep health insurance. Tests and doctor visits cost a lot, and even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, this could happen. For more information, see Understanding Health Insurance.

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5 Things to Do Daily to Keep Your Heart Healthy

You know that exercise and a good diet can keep your heart healthy. But what else can you do to keep your ticker going strong? Here are five key things you need to do every day to help your heart work most efficiently. Incorporate these habits into your lifestyle and your heart health will be the best it can be for you.

1- Eat healthy fats, NOT trans fats

We need fats in our diet, including saturated and polyunsaturated and unsaturated fats. One fat we don t need is trans fat, which is known to increase your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke over a lifetime. This is because trans fat clogs your arteries by raising your bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and lowering your good cholesterol levels (HDL). By cutting them from your diet, you improve the blood flow throughout your body. So, what are trans fats? They are industry-produced fats often used in packaged baked goods, snack foods, margarines and fried fast foods to add flavor and texture.

Tip: Read the labels on all foods. Trans fat appears on the ingredients list as partially hydrogenated oils. Look for 0 percent trans fat. Make it a point to avoid eating foods with trans fat.

2- Practice good dental hygiene, especially flossing your teeth daily

Dental health is a good indication of overall health, including your heart, because those who have periodontal (gum) disease often have the same risk factors for heart disease. Studies continue on this issue, but many have shown that bacteria in the mouth involved in the development of gum disease can move into the bloodstream and cause an elevation in C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation in the blood vessels. These changes may in turn, increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Tip: Floss and brush your teeth daily to ward off gum disease. It s more than cavities you may have to deal with if you are fighting gum disease.

3- Get enough sleep

Sleep is an essential part of keeping your heart healthy. If you don t sleep enough, you may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease no matter your age or other health habits. One study looking at 3,000 adults over the age of 45 found that those who slept fewer than six hours per night were about twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack as people who slept six to eight hours per night. Researchers believe sleeping too little causes disruptions in underlying health conditions and biological processes, including blood pressure and inflammation.

Tip: Make sleep a priority. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep most nights. If you have sleep apnea, you should be treated as this condition is linked to heart disease and arrhythmias.

4. Don t sit for too long at one time

In recent years, research has suggested that staying seated for long periods of time is bad for your health no matter how much exercise you do. This is bad news for the many people who sit at sedentary jobs all day. When looking at the combined results of several observational studies that included nearly 800,000 people, researchers found that in those who sat the most, there was an associated 147 percent increase in cardiovascular events and a 90 percent increase in death caused by these events. In addition, sitting for long periods of time (especially when traveling) increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot).

Tip: Exerts say its important to move throughout the day. Park farther away from the office, take a few shorter walks throughout the day and/or use a standing work station so you can move up and down. And remember to exercise on most days.

5. Avoid secondhand smoke like the plague

Studies show that the risk of developing heart disease is about 25 to 30 percent higher for people who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work. According to the American Heart Association, exposure to tobacco smoke contributes to about 34,000 premature heart disease deaths and 7,300 lung cancer deaths each year. And nonsmokers who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol have an even greater risk of developing heart disease when theyre exposed to secondhand smoke. This is because the chemicals emitted from cigarette smoke promote the development of plaque buildup in the arteries.

Tip: Be firm with smokers that you do not want to be around environmental smokeand keep children away from secondhand smoke.

Follow these five tips and you ll be doing your heart a favor. Youll feel better and be able to stay active with a heart-healthy lifestyle.

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5 Food Secrets For Healthier, More Youthful Skin - Skin care tips

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the best foods you can eat for your skin's health. They contain Lycopene, a very powerful antioxidant. While studies aren't complete, they do suggest that Lycopene plays a role in protecting the skin from damage caused by UV rays from the sun.

The body absorbs Lycopene best when it has been cooked, so for the best effect you should eat plenty ketchup and foods that contain tomato sauce or paste rather than just raw tomatoes.

Tomatoes are also known to be fat soluble, which means your body absorbs it better in combination with fats, like that in olive oils or high fat veggies like avocado.

2. Red Meat

While an excess of red meat can be unhealthy because of the quantity of saturated fats and cholesterol it contains, in moderation it can be very good for the skin because its high levels of protein and zinc. Some studies are suggesting that it can treat acne better than antibiotics.

It seems that your skin uses the amino acids Proline and Glycine to produce collagen, which helps prevent wrinkles and aging. The protein found in red meat is where you'll find them in the greatest concentrations.

Zinc, a mineral also important for collagen production, has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Green Tea

There's been plenty of press over the last few years about the antioxidant properties of green tea. Its strong anti-aging and anti-inflammatory powers are credited to Catechin compounds that it has in high concentrations.

Green tea is beneficial when consumed as a drink and also when applied topically. Used directly in the skin, it can help prevent sunburns and other UV sun damage.

Some studies are showing that sun damage can actually be reversed by drinking a cup of green tea twice a day for six months. It can also improve skin redness and broken capillaries in the skin.

4. Green Beans

Green beans aren't necessarily a boon for the skin, but there are few foods better for your hair and nails! These low-calorie superstars of the veggie world are one of the best sources of the mineral silicon (not silicone, the stuff used in breast implants), which is known to help strengthen the hair and nails.

While there is no USDA recommended daily allowance for silicon, studies have shows that 10 mg daily is sufficient for health nails and hair.

5. Walnuts

We all know that omega-3 fatty acids are important for health, and we've all been told that eating salmon is one of the best ways to get it - but surprisingly, walnuts provide a very significant dose of omega-3s too! If you have problems like acne, blotchy skin, redness or wrinkles, it just might be walnuts to the rescue!

Omega-3s from plant sources like walnuts have proven to have natural anti-inflammatory properties. They also work wonders to help your skin stay hydrated and can provide protection from chemicals and other outside toxins.

One compound in particular, alpha-linolenic acid, has been shown to fight the signs of aging in the skin. And walnuts aren't the only source; find more omega3s in other plant sources like flax seeds, almonds and olive oil.

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The Top Concerns of New Parents - How to Care for Baby Skin?

The couple's first baby born, confirm from our maker, awesome blessing a lady must celebrate. First time to hold the infant in your arms. The first occasion when he opens his mouth, and the first of everything. Take excellent care to shield the new blessed messenger. Give them the best of everything, and this incorporates the healthy skin items you put on their skin. Since a child's skin so touchy and delicate, constantly mindful to pick what to put on their skin. Chemicals influence the infant's skin to break out, and you would prefer not to happen. 






Children's human services one of many concerns new mother needs to consider. Her new infant is a gift, and she does everything to protect her infant. As a youthful mother, her essential concern the item wellbeing of a child's skin to utilize. The need is kid's infant's skin since this gives a wellspring of solid grown-up skin. 

When you go to stores you need the correct healthy skin for your youngster. Since numerous items found on the racks, you may get confounded. Attempt late pattern recommending, natural healthy skin items better for tyke's skin. Infants require light creams and child moisturizer to keep their skin supple and delicate. There is repeating diaper rash. Since babies require assurance for wetness, diaper rashes some of the time unavoidable. Stock your bureau with rash cream your specialist suggests. Continuously ask your doctor, they know a greater amount of the most recent items. 

Beside Specialist Exhortation, you may Incorporate the accompanying records: 

1. Child Bodysuit. This one-piece, snap groin article garments stunning. They come in adorable hues and prints. They're adaptable, on the off chance that you have to bring your youngster for a crisis errand. Simply put it underneath coats and bottoms, and you're sufficient to go. 

2. Medical aid Unit. The essential infant's safeguard from damage. Put fundamental meds, rectal thermometer, ointment, medical aid cards with directions. These guidelines must incorporate what to do if there should be an occurrence of crisis, and mischance telephone numbers. 

3. Diapers. Make certain to make stock. Your kid might be oversensitive to specific sorts of diapers. Do whatever it takes not to freeze when rash breaks out. Rather, switch another brand. 

4. Sling. This assistance when you carry the baby with you anyplace and all over the place. This commendable for child's protected breastfeeding. 

5. Infant bed. Ensure it has side watches so the child is remained careful notwithstanding when he moves for the duration of the night. 

6. Auto seat and stroller. Many organizations offer auto seats. Need it to change over in a stroller in the wake of getting out the auto. Whatever your decisions, your child's wellbeing is an absolute necessity once you bring them outside the house.

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