Prevention
By admin | December 9, 2007
Phytoestrogens and soy
Phytoestrogens such as found in soybeans have been extensively studied in animal and human in-vitro and epidemiological studies. The literature support the following conclusions:
1. Plant estrogen intake, such as from soy products, in early adolescence may protect against breast cancer later in life.
2. Plant estrogen intake later in life is not likely to influence breast cancer incidence either positively or negatively.
Folic acid (folate)
Main article: Folic acid#Folic acid and cancer
The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.
Studies have found that “folate intake counteracts breast cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption” and “women who drink alcohol and have a high folate intake are not at increased risk of cancer.” A prospective study of over 17,000 women found that those who consume 40 grams of alcohol (about 3-4 drinks) per day have a higher risk of breast cancer. However, in women who take 200 micrograms of folate (folic acid or Vitamin B9) every day, the risk of breast cancer drops below that of alcohol abstainers. Read the rest of this entry »
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Signs and symptoms
By admin | December 9, 2007
Early breast cancer can in some cases present as breast pain (mastodynia) or a painful lump. Since the advent of breast mammography, breast cancer is most frequently discovered as an asymptomatic nodule on a mammogram, before any symptoms are present. A lump under the arm or above the collarbone that does not go away may be present. Read the rest of this entry »
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Aloe vera, Herbal therapies used by people living with HIV
By admin | November 28, 2007
Aloe vera is a tropical plant grown in many homes. The jelly-like substance found in the leaves is used to treat minor burns and cuts. It may also be used to treat skin problems associated with HIV and anti-HIV drugs. As with burns or cuts, the juice of a fresh plant can be applied directly to the affected skin. You can buy oils and creams that contain aloe vera to treat dry skin and other skin blemishes. The plant is also used internally as a laxative and to strengthen the digestive tract. Aloe vera may also be helpful against ulcers.
The bitter substance found in the leaves of the aloe vera plant, often called bitter aloe, has been approved as a laxative in several European countries. Read the rest of this entry »
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Complementary Therapies for People Living With HIV
By admin | November 28, 2007
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system with its own unique philosophy, diagnostics and treatment methods. The goal of TCM is to balance the yin (vital function) and the yang (vital essence). One analogy describes yang as the gear and yin as the grease that allows the gear to run smoothly. An excess of yang leads to the consumption of yin and the formation of heat, much as a gear that works too hard burns away the grease and builds up heat. The balancing of yin and yang stabilizes a person’s energy, otherwise known as Chi, or Qi (pronounced chee). The purpose of TCM is fu-zheng, which means to support the true or righteous Chi to inhibit diseased Chi from progressing.
TCM includes extensive nutritional counselling. A proper diet supports health and vitality, thus promoting the proper or righteous Chi. Qigong is a form of exercise that focuses on breathing and meditation and is used to support and boost a person’s Chi. Acupuncture, a third component of TCM, is used to treat illness by stimulating the righteous Chi and ensuring it circulates freely to nourish all parts of the body. Herbal treatments may be used to strengthen the righteous Chi in particular parts of the body, contributing to the balance of the whole. Read the rest of this entry »
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HIV/AIDS and Alternative Therapies
By admin | November 28, 2007
What is Alternative Medicine?
The terms “alternative,” “complementary,” or “unconventional” therapy cover a broad range of healing philosophies and approaches. Some approaches are consistent with physiological principles of Western medicine, while others constitute independent healing systems. Some therapies are so far outside the realm of accepted medical theory and practice that they are difficult to subject to standard evaluative techniques.
How Does Alternative Medicine Fit Into the Treatment of HIV Disease? Read the rest of this entry »
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Exercise junkie
By admin | November 28, 2007
When I told my husband my next writing assignment dealt with people addicted to exercise, he couldn’t contain himself.
“Ha! You mean, like you?” he asked.
Funny, but not much of a joke, really. I do exercise a lot, pretty much every day—running, biking, skiing, climbing, you name it—and I’m all the happier for it. Sure, these habits are ingrained—deeply. I plan my days around my workouts. And I get a little bent out of shape when I miss them. Still, like me, many people have committed themselves to fitness and don’t have a nasty case of obsession. Sometimes, however, “commitment” morphs into “addiction,” causing physical and mental harm, even, on occasion, death.
Death by exercise? Yeah, I know. Hardly the biggest problem in our couch-potato culture. Yet a small group—perhaps one that’s growing as eating disorders and the popularity of “extreme” fitness escalate—gets so attached to working out that it becomes a sickness. For these people, the pursuit of exercise trumps all else, even their health. Read the rest of this entry »
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Breast Check
By admin | November 28, 2007
Do mandatory mammograms do more harm than good?
“Time to make breast pancakes,” says one friend of mine, referring to her scheduled mammography screening. And although she may crack jokes about the experience, she’s never once questioned the need for her annual pilgrimage, nor has her physician discussed the risks versus the benefits it entails. After all, if you are a woman aged 40 or beyond, yearly mammograms are simply de rigueur.
When your doctor refers you for a screening, he or she is likely following the guidelines of the two leading national cancer research and information organizations primarily responsible for setting public health policy on cancer screening: The private American Cancer Society (ACS) and the government’s National Cancer Institute (NCI). Both, along with other well-funded, high-profile organizations, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, recommend regular mammogram screening of symptom-free women beginning at age 40. Read the rest of this entry »
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Aspirin
By admin | November 28, 2007
What is the most important information I should know about aspirin?
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina). Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
What is aspirin? Read the rest of this entry »
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Metformin
By admin | November 28, 2007
What is the most important information I should know about metformin?
Do not use metformin if you have kidney disease, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Before taking metformin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of heart disease.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking metformin. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis: weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into a vein, you may need to temporarily stop taking metformin. Be sure the doctor knows ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them, including hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal). Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar.
What is metformin?
Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.
Metformin is for people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Metformin is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Metformin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metformin? Read the rest of this entry »
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Abuterol Inhilation
By admin | November 28, 2007
What is the most important information I should know about albuterol inhalation?
It is important to use this medication regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Keep using all of your other medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal. Symptoms of an albuterol inhalation overdose may include nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, chest pain or heavy feeling, rapid or uneven heart rate, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, dizziness, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed or fainting. Extreme heat can cause the medicine canister to burst. Do not store your inhaler in your car on hot days. Do not throw an empty canister into open flame.
What is albuterol inhalation? Read the rest of this entry »
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