LEUKEMIA

Leukemia is a type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow and is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection and impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.
Leukemia can be either acute or chronic. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly than acute leukemia, which requires immediate treatment. Leukemia is also classified as lymphocytic or myelogenous. Lymphocytic leukemia refers to abnormal cell growth in the marrow cells that become lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system. In myelogenous leukemia, abnormal cell growth occurs in the marrow cells that mature into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. There are four broad classifications of leukemia:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Leukemia occurs in both adults and children. ALL is the most common form ofchildhood leukemia, and AML is the second most common. Decades of research have led to vastly improved outcomes for children diagnosed with ALL. The two most common adult leukemias are AML and CLL.

Am I at Risk?

Although experts are uncertain about the causes of leukemia, they have identified several risk factors that include the following:

• Exposure to high levels of radiation
• Repeated exposure to certain chemicals (for example, benzene)
• Chemotherapy
• Down Syndrome
• A strong family history of leukemia

Symptoms vary depending on the type and stage of leukemia, but they can include the following:

• Fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms
• Weakness and fatigue
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Headaches
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Swollen tonsils
• Bone pain
• Paleness
• Pinhead-size red spots on the skin
• Weight loss

Source:  http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Cancers/Leukemia.aspx

HIV/AIDS

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.

HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.

AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.

In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.

Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years.

There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.

AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

• thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
• severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease 
• severe and frequent infections
• periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
• quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting
• bruising more easily than normal
• long periods of frequent diarrhea
• frequent fevers and/or night sweats
• swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
• periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
• increasing shortness of breath
• the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
• unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body
• frequent or unusual skin rashes
• severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
• confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities

SOurce:  http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf

Cholesterol - Lower Food

 
If you're already eating plenty of the following cholesterol-lowering foods, keep up the good work! But if your idea of eating well is to opt for the "buttered popcorn" instead of the "extra-buttered popcorn," consider adding these healthy eats to your diet today: 
1. Oats
If you're looking to lower your cholesterol, the key may be simply changing your morning meal. Switching up your breakfast to contain two servings of oats can lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) by 5.3% in only 6 weeks. The key to this cholesterol buster is beta-glucan, a substance in oats that absorbs LDL, which your body then excretes. Banish bland oats with this dessert-worthy ginergersnap oatmeal recipe. 
2. Red wine
Scientists are giving us yet another reason to drink to our health. It turns out that high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes, used to make red wine like Rioja, may actually have a significant effect on cholesterol levels. A study conducted by the department of metabolism and nutrition at Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain found that when individuals consumed the same grape supplement found in red wine, their LDL levels decreased by 9%. In addition, those who had high cholesterol going into the study saw a 12% drop in LDL.
3. Salmon & fatty fish
Omega-3 fats are one of the natural health wonders of the world and have been shown to ward off heart disease, dementia, and many other diseases. Now these fatty acids can add yet another health benefit to their repertoire: lowering cholesterol. According to research from Loma Linda University, replacing saturated fats with omega-3s like those found in salmon, sardines, and herring can raise good cholesterol as much as 4%. (Here's everything you need to know about buying the healthiest fish possible.)
4. Nuts
If you're looking to lower cholesterol levels, research shows that you should get cracking! In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who noshed on 1.5 ounces of whole walnuts 6 days a week for 1 month lowered their total cholesterol by 5.4% and LDL cholesterol by 9.3%. Almonds and cashews are other good options. However, while nuts are heart healthy, they're also high in calories, so practice portion control—1.5 ounces is about a shot glass and a half. Use a shot glass to measure out your portion so you can see exactly how it looks.
5. Tea

Photo by gojack/Getty Images

While tea has become well known for its cancer-fighting antioxidants, it is also a great defense against LDL cholesterol levels. According to research conducted with the USDA, black tea has been shown to reduce blood lipids by up to 10% in only 3 weeks. These findings were concluded in a larger study of how tea may also help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. (Here's how to make the perfect cup of tea every time.)
6. Beans
Beans, beans—they really are good for your heart. Researchers at Arizona State University Polytechnic found that adding ½ cup of beans to soup lowers total cholesterol, including LDL, by up to 8%. The key to this heart-healthy food is its abundance of fiber, which has been shown to slow the rate and amount of absorption of cholesterol in certain foods. Try black, kidney, or pinto beans; each supplies about one-third of your daily fiber needs.
7. Chocolate
Ah, the sweet side of a heart-healthy diet: This powerful antioxidant helps build HDL cholesterol levels. In a 2007 study published in AJCN, participants who were given cocoa powder had a 24% increase in HDL levels over 12 weeks, compared with a 5% increase in the control group. Remember to choose the dark or bittersweet kind. Compared to milk chocolate, it has more than 3 times as many antioxidants, which prevent blood platelets from sticking together and may even keep arteries unclogged.
8. Margarine
Switching to a margarine with plant sterols, such as Promise activ or Benecol, could help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are compounds that reduce cholesterol absorption; a study published in AJCN found that women who had a higher plant sterol–based diet were able to lower total cholesterol by 3.5%.
9. Garlic
Aside from adding zing to almost any dish, garlic has been found to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and protect against infections. Now research finds that it helps stop artery-clogging plaque at its earliest stage by keeping cholesterol particles from sticking to artery walls. Try for two to four fresh cloves a day.
10. Olive oil

Photo by Okea/Getty Images

Good news: This common cooking ingredient can help your health. Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which lower LDL cholesterol—and have the welcome side effect of trimming belly fat. Use it to make your own salad dressings, marinate chicken and fish, or roast vegetables.
11. Spinach
This popular green contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Lutein already has a "golden" reputation for guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Now research suggests that just ½ cup of a lutein-rich food daily also guards against heart attacks by helping artery walls "shrug off" cholesterol invaders that cause clogging. Look for bags of baby spinach leaves that you can use for salads or pop in the microwave for a quick side dish. 
12. Avocado
Avocados are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, a type of fat that may actually help raise HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL. And, more than any other fruit, this delectable food packs cholesterol-smashing beta-sitosterol, a beneficial plant-based fat that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food. Since avocados are a bit high in calories and fat (300 calories and 30 g fat per avocado), use them in moderation.

Source:  http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/how-lower-cholesterol-naturally

Asthma?? Treatment...

The good news for anyone with asthma in the UK is that there are a range of effective treatments on offer.
When you’re first diagnosed with asthma, your GP or asthma nurse will prescribe you treatment based on the latest ‘gold standard’ guidelines for asthma care. These are from recommendations in the latest British Thoracic Society / Scottish Intercollegiate Network Guideline (BTS/SIGN) on the Management of Asthma. They are based on the latest clinical evidence and updated every two years. They state that the aim of treatment is to manage your asthma so that:

• You get no daytime symptoms
• You get no night-time waking due to asthma
• You have no need for rescue medicines
• You have no asthma attacks
• Asthma doesn’t limit your daily life (including exercise)

Starting treatment

When they’re working out which medicines are best to treat your asthma, your GP or asthma nurse will use an approach recommended in the BTS/SIGN guidelines called ‘stepwise’. There are five steps for adults (and children aged over 12) and for children between the ages of five and 12. There are four steps for children under five.
The idea is that asthma treatment is like a staircase, and you can move up or down a step depending on your symptoms. The goal is always to make sure your asthma is as well managed as possible using the fewest medicines possible. So at different times of your life, or even different times of the year, your GP or asthma nurse can move you up or down a step. The step you’re started on will depend on your age and the severity of your symptoms.

Book annual reviews

Even if your symptoms are well managed, it’s important to book in an asthma review at least once a year (at least once every six months for children). This is so your GP or asthma nurse can see how you’re doing and move you up or down the steps if necessary.

Book extra reviews if you need them

You don’t have to wait for your next annual review before booking in to see your GP or asthma nurse. For instance, if you haven’t had any asthma symptoms for at least three months, book an extra review. Your GP or asthma nurse may reduce (step down) your medicines dose. Or, if you notice that your asthma symptoms are getting worse (for instance, you’re using your reliever inhaler more often than usual; you’re coughing, wheezing or feeling breathless; you’re waking up at night; your peak flow drops) book an extra review. Your GP or asthma nurse may increase (step up) your medicines dose.

Source:  http://www.asthma.org.uk/advice-how-is-asthma-commonly-treated

MIGRAIN

 
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Pix/pictures/2009/5/6/1241605325997/Migraine-illustration-002.jpg

Migraines are a type of recurring severe headache that can cause you to have time off work and need to rest in bed. They are often accompanied by feeling sick, vomiting or an increased sensitivity to light.

Women are roughly three times more likely to get migraines than men. About four in every 20 women get migraines, while only about one in every 20 men do. You can get migraines for the first time at any age, but they commonly start during the teenage years. 

Most people with a migraine get a moderate to severe headache, which can last for anything between four hours and three days. The headache can occur on one or both sides of your head and is a throbbing, pulsating or banging pain. Activity usually makes the pain worse, for example walking or climbing stairs. You may also feel sick or vomit during a migraine, and you may find you’re more sensitive to light and noise.
You might get aura symptoms that affect your vision or other senses. For example, you may temporarily see flickering lights, spots or lines, or you may lose areas of your vision. You may also get pins and needles, or conversely, may get numbness. Some people also have disturbed speech.
Some people have migraines once a year or less, whereas other people have them as often as several times a week.
One of the things that make a migraine different from other types of headache is that it has clear stages. Most people will have the following stages, although not all have an aura stage.

• Premonitory stage. You may feel tired, crave sweet foods, have mood changes, feel thirsty or have a stiff neck. These feelings can last up to 24 hours.
• Aura stage. About one in three people have aura symptoms (visual or sensory changes). These may last from a few minutes up to an hour. 
• Main attack stage. This is when you will have a headache and other symptoms such as nausea. This stage can last anywhere from four hours up to three days.
• Resolution and recovery stage. This is when the migraine fades. This usually happens slowly, although a migraine can sometimes stop suddenly, if you vomit for example.

Most people don’t need to see their GP when they get a migraine. However, you should see your GP if:

• your migraines become more frequent or get worse over time
• you’re over 50 and you have never had a migraine before
• you have a child under the age of 10 that develops a migraine
• you get migraines with aura and are taking the combined oral contraceptive pill
• you get a headache when your posture changes
• you have had cancer or have HIV and are getting new headaches

You should get immediate medical advice if:

• you have a sudden and very severe headache
• you get aura symptoms that last for more than an hour or make it harder to move

 SOurce: http://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/directory/m/migraine

DIABETES??

Diabetes can strike anyone, from any walk of life.
And it does – in numbers that are dramatically increasing. In the last decade, the cases of people living with diabetes jumped almost 50 percent – to more than 29 million Americans.  
Worldwide, it afflicts more than 380 million people.  And the World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, that number of people living with diabetes will more than double.  
Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined -- claiming the life of 1 American every 3 minutes.  It is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart failure and stroke. 
Living with diabetes places an enormous emotional, physical and financial burden on the entire family. Annually, diabetes costs the American public more than $245 billion. 
Just what is diabetes?  
To answer that, you first need to understand the role of insulin in your body.  
When you eat, your body turns food into sugars, or glucose. At that point, your pancreas is supposed to release insulin.  
Insulin serves as a “key” to open your cells, to allow the glucose to enter -- and allow you to use the glucose for energy.  
But with diabetes, this system does not work.  
Several major things can go wrong – causing the onset of diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of the disease, but there are also other kinds, such as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, as well as other forms.   

 Source: http://www.diabetesresearch.org/what-is-diabetes

AMNESIA

What Is Amnesia?

Amnesia is a form of memory loss. Some people with amnesia have difficulty forming new memories. Others cannot recall facts and past experiences. People with amnesia usually retain knowledge of their own identity, as well as motor skills.
Mild memory loss is a normal part of aging. Significant loss of existing memories, or the inability to form new memories, could indicate the presence of an amnestic disorder.

Types of Amnesia

There are multiple types of amnesia:

Retrograde Amnesia

Retrograde amnesia is when existing memories are lost. It frequently affects recently formed memories. Older memories are affected more slowly. Diseases such as dementia cause gradual retrograde amnesia.

Anterograde Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia is when a person cannot form new memories. This effect can be temporary, such as in a blackout caused by too much alcohol. It can also be permanent, such as when a person has suffered damage to the area of the brain known as the hippocampus (which plays an important role in forming memories).

Transient Global Amnesia

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a poorly understood condition. It is when a person experiences confusion or agitation that comes and goes repeatedly over the course of several hours. The person may experience memory loss in the hours before the attack and usually has no lasting memory of the experience. Scientists think that TGA occurs as the result of seizure-like activity or of a brief blockage of the blood vessels supplying the brain.

Causes of Amnesia

A memory’s location in the brain is thought to depend on the memory’s age (Costandi, M., 2009). To lose old memories, a person must experience widespread brain deterioration, such as the progressive memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. People with dementia usually lose more-recent memories first and keep older memories longer.
Anoxia (a depletion of oxygen levels) can also affect the whole brain, although if it is not severe enough to cause brain damage, the memory loss it causes can be temporary.

The hippocampus is responsible for forming new narrative memories, retrieving recently formed memories, and sending these new memories to become associated with the rest of the brain. Its cells are some of the brain’s most energy-hungry and fragile. They are most easily disrupted by anoxia, general anesthetic, toxins, and other threats. While the hippocampus is impaired, a person will have difficulty forming new memories. Stroke, tumors, and infection can cause permanent damage to the brain, including permanent memory problems.
If a person suffers damage to the hippocampus in both halves of the brain, such as from encephalitis, he or she can develop complete anterograde amnesia, which is the inability to form any new narrative memories.
Concussions commonly disrupt memories of the hours, days, or weeks before and after the injury.
Short-term alcohol use can cause blackout, a temporary form of anterograde amnesia. Long-term alcoholism can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. A person with this condition will have difficulty forming new memories but may not be aware of the fact.
A person who receives electroconvulsive therapy for depression or other conditions will usually experience retrograde amnesia of the weeks or months before their treatment.
Severe trauma or stress can cause dissociative amnesia, in which the mind rejects thoughts, feelings, or information that the person is too overwhelmed to handle.
Most people are unable to remember the first three to five years of life. This common phenomenon is called Infantile or childhood amnesia. 

How Is Amnesia Diagnosed?

Amnesia can be diagnosed by a physician or neural specialist.
A person with amnesia will have difficulty recalling facts, events, places, or specific details, such as that morning’s breakfast or the name of the current president. They will still retain their motor skills, such as the ability to walk, as well as fluency in any languages they speak.

How Is Amnesia Treated?

Treatment for amnesia usually consists of treating the underlying condition.
Chemically induced amnesia can be resolved by letting the person detoxify from the drug. Amnesia from concussion or other mild head trauma usually resolves over time. Amnesia from severe head injury may not recede. Improvement is usually seen by six to nine months (Kolb, et. al, 2003).
People with persistent memory loss can get occupational therapy to learn new information and memory skills to replace the missing or broken connections. Therapy also teaches techniques for organizing information to make it easier to retrieve, as well as the use of memory aids.

Preventing Memory Loss

The following healthy life practices may aid in preventing memory loss:

• Avoid heavy use of alcohol or drugs.
• Use protective headgear when engaging in sports that are at high risk for causing concussion.
• Keep mentally active throughout life. For instance, take classes, explore new places, read new books, and play mentally challenging games.
• Stay physically active throughout life.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins.
• Stay hydrated.